Shillong: Meghalaya’s North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) has received substantial funding of Rs 14 crore from the Centre for its Department of Biomedical Engineering to advance healthcare innovation and capacity building in the Northeast.
“The Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, through the Department of Pharmaceuticals, has approved a funding of Rs 14 crore under the ‘Capacity Building and Skill Development in Medical Device Sector’ sub-scheme,” a NEHU statement said.
The statement further said, “This is part of the broader ‘Strengthening of Medical Device Industry’ initiative, aimed at boosting India’s local medical device manufacturing capabilities, reducing reliance on imports, and fostering global competitiveness.”
NEHU will introduce a Master of Technology (M.Tech) programme in Medical Devices and a diploma in Medical Device Manufacturing and Quality in a bid to address the rising need for skilled professionals.
The programme will address the unique healthcare challenges of Meghalaya and the surrounding regions, contributing to region-specific solutions and attracting talent and investment.
Additionally, the Union Ministry of Science and Technology, through the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has recommended a grant of Rs 2.55 crore under the ‘Fund for Infrastructure in Science & Technology (FIST)’ to support the creation of a state-of-the-art laboratory for advanced research in biomedical technologies.
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the new laboratory will enable cutting-edge research, driving world-class innovations in biomedical and health technologies with the potential to revolutionize global healthcare.
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“The combined funding will significantly enhance NEHU’s infrastructure, enabling the creation of modern classrooms, laboratories, and research facilities that meet international standards. This initiative is expected to bridge the skill gap in the medical device sector and create numerous employment opportunities,” the NEHU release read.
