Berhampur University to introduce course in radiation biology with BARC support

The facility of Gamma radiation Chamber established on Berhampur University campus  would now be the catalyst for introduction of a new one year PG diploma course on radiation biology and applications from the next academic session. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Jayant Kumar Mohapatra has initiated process for start of this course which would be self financing in nature. Berhampur University authorities are also contemplating to extend the irradiation facility on the campus to researchers from other universities and institutions to encourage and promote research and education in radiation biology in Odisha as well as eastern region.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai and Berhampur University for collaborative research on ionising radiation, particularly on radiation biology has been renewed. It may be noted that the BARC had entered into an MoU with the Berhampur University in 2010 for this project. The BARC had donated a Gamma Irradiation Chamber, GC-5000 having cobalt sixty radiation source, worth Rs. 40 lakh free of cost to the university. The equipment has been installed in the specially constructed Gamma House at the botanical garden on Berhampur University campus. Recently, scientists from BARC inspected the facility at Berhampur University and renewed the MoU, till the end of 2014 with enhancement of the project cost to Rs. 75 lakh, informed B.B.Panda, professor of Botany Department of the university attached to the project.

Source: The Hindu