GUWAHATI, Aug 21 - Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI), in collaboration with the Department of Bioengineering and Technology of Gauhati University, has for the first time in the North East started a master�s course or MSc in cancer biology.
According to Dr Amal Chandra Kataki, Director of BBCI, this course will provide an in-depth understanding of the biological processes in the development of cancer and will link academic knowledge with the practical applications on cancer biology, with a focus on the latest advances in this field.
�This course will provide students with an excellent career opportunity in hospital and commercial laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, and in academic or research institutions. As cancer-related specialised basic courses are being offered in various European and American universities, students, after completion of this course, will have an opportunity for various scholarships in foreign universities for PhD positions,� stated Dr Kataki.
He said that incidence of cancer in North East is very high compared to the rest of the country. �The cause for this higher incidence is not well explained so far and can be addressed by research on the various biological aspects of cancer in the patient population of the region. The MSc cancer biology course will address the challenge of critical shortage of cancer biologists with a practical knowledge on the biological aspects of cancer,� he said.
Dr Mouchumee Bhattacharyya, Principal Coordinator of BBCI-Academia and Professor of radiation oncology, said that the first batch of MSc cancer biology comprising ten students, has been admitted after an entrance test conducted by the Gauhati University. The academic session has started from this month.
�During the course students will get exposure to state-of-the-art technology in cancer treatment and research facilities available at BBCI and Gauhati University,� she said.
