SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 02: Multidisciplinary Research Unit (MRU) of the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar today inaugurated a three-day Research Methodology Workshop, sponsored by the Indian Council of Medical Research – Department of Health Research (ICMR–DHR).
The inaugural session was chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Iffat Hassan, Principal/Dean, GMC Srinagar, and Prof. Sabhiya Majid, Nodal Officer, MRU.
In her address, Prof. Iffat Hassan Shah lauded the MRU’s pivotal role in strengthening the research ecosystem at GMC Srinagar. She highlighted that in March 2025, the MRU was recognized by the Department of Health Research as one of the best-performing units nationwide.
She further underlined the significance of the unit’s academic collaboration with the ICMR-Collaborating Centre of Excellence (CCoE), St. John’s Research Institute, Bengaluru, under the leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Prem Kumar Mony, which continues to provide robust academic and technical support.
The workshop has drawn eminent experts from GMC Srinagar, St. John’s Research Institute Bengaluru, ICMR–DHR New Delhi, and faculty from leading medical colleges of the North Zone, including GMC Patiala, GMC Chandigarh, and Guru Gobind Singh Medical College Faridkot.
The inaugural function was also attended by senior officials, including Mohammad Ashraf Hakak, Administrator; Tahleela Asmat, Financial Advisor; Prof. Salim Itoo, Deputy Registrar Academic, and Shabir Ahmad, Deputy Director Planning, who appreciated the initiative and assured institutional support for promoting a culture of research.
Over the next three days, the workshop will cover research design, biostatistics, ethics in health research, and critical appraisal of scientific literature, aiming to build research capacity among faculty and young scholars for undertaking high-quality, evidence-based studies.
The sessions will be led by renowned experts, including Prof. (Dr.) Prem Mony, MD – Vice-Dean, St. John’s Research Institute; Professor of Epidemiology & Population Health; Joint Director, ICMR-CCoE, St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences; Prof. (Dr.) Tinku Thomas, MSc, PhD – Professor of Biostatistics, St. John’s Research Institute; Dr. Sumithra Selvam, MSc, PhD – Assistant Professor of Biostatistics, St. John’s Research Institute; Dr. Deepika – Scientist C, Department of Health Research, MoHFW, Government of India; Sunil Pant – Finance Manager, Department of Health Research, MoHFW, Government of India; Dr. Tanu Anand – Scientist E&MRU/MRHRU Nodal Officer, Division of Development Research, ICMR Headquarters; Prof. (Dr.) S. M. Salim Khan – President, J&K Medical Council and HoD department of Community Medicine GMC Srinagar, and Prof. (Dr.) Bashir Ahmad Shah – GMC Srinagar.
The workshop is expected to serve as a dynamic platform for collaboration, networking, and knowledge exchange, thereby further strengthening the culture of evidence-based medicine in the region.
