TN, Lanka varsities sign MoU for Siddha faculty

CHENNAI: An MoU for exchange of faculty, researchers and students in Siddha medicine was signed between Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University and Eastern University of Sri Lanka on Monday.

It was signed by Vice-Chancellor of MGR Medical University Dr K Meer Mustafa Hussain and Nagalingam Nagendrakumar, Rector of Eastern University.

The MoU would facilitate joint research projects, development and sharing of laboratory and library facilities, developing and designing new courses, training and sharing of technical and administrative manpower, they told reporters after signing the MoU.

Siddha experts from MGR University would visit the Trincomalee campus of Eastern University and train the teachers and provide suggestions for starting the Siddha medicine faculty there, Nagendrakumar said.

The Eastern University had 315 acres of land to cultivate herbs and MGR University could benefit from research of rare herbs found in the island nation and develop them in Tamil Nadu also, Hussain said.

MGR University would start an MD course for homeopathy next year, he said, adding that the university would strive to establish contact between traditional Siddha practioners and those graduating in the same field.

The University would also take steps for scientific validation of Siddha medicine, he added.