Dr. Asha Devi S is the Head of the Biomedical Sciences department at Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu. With expertise in academia and applied research, she has experience of more than 22 years. Her areas of research include genetics, infertility and nanomedicine. She has a prominent profile of serving as HOD, Doctoral committee member, Board of studies member, Adjunct Faculty, and research consultant at various international forums and institutions.

VIT University

What is the latest program that you are offering in your institute?

“Masters programs in Biomedical genetics and applied microbiology”

The programs offered are M.Sc., Applied Microbiology and M.Sc., Biomedical Genetics programs to life science undergraduates. These two programmes are offered to have a clear understanding of the subject related concepts and contemporary issues with practical experience. 

What are the factors that make this program the best for the students to opt for?

“A wide range of career-oriented opportunities and higher education exposure”

Students who opt for these courses have excellent opportunities in terms of placement and a career in research. The following factors make these courses worth opting for:

  • Placements in core companies and renowned hospital chains
  • Specializations offered in various field of biology 
  • Students can pursue higher studies in Research and development.
  • Opportunity to become a Genetic counsellor in the future.

What will you say the “best practices” in the course you’re offering are?

“Active participation of students in research projects”

We provide a degree in M.Sc., Biomedical Genetics specialization in Genetic counselling. This unique program consists of 12 weeks of a training program in hospitals. Students are allowed to execute research work for two credits in the first 3 semesters. This helps them in gaining research exposure along with publications as well. We follow FFCS, a system that helps the student to study different courses based on their interest.

What are some valuable insights into the program that you are offering?

“A peek into the crucial operations of the industry and hospitals”

Our college provides a clinical rotation training program for 12 weeks combined with hands-on training. It also includes industrial visits that assists students in understanding the changes occurring in the research fields.

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How does the program ensure a preparation for a research career in the future?

“Facilitating knowledge and skills useful in future endeavours is essential”

We equip the students with sufficient knowledge to make use of technologies and methods of microbiology and genetics. Lessons in scientific methodologies, soft skills and communication courses are included in the syllabus. The curriculum of the program provides a holistic approach for development of the students. With the appropriate tools, they can readily face the industry, hospitals and real-world situations.

How did you train the faculty to deliver this program to the students?

“MOOC’s for the faculty combined with exchange programs and FDP’s”

We are proud of the fact that our faculty members are already experts in their respective fields. To enhance their knowledge and teaching techniques, additional updated inputs are acquired. This is achieved through their participation in faculty development programs, faculty exchange programs and MOOC courses.

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How do you tend to build an industry connection with this program?

“Field visits, alumni circuit and interactions with experts are included in the curriculum”

  • Guest lectures with top leaders of the industry.
  • Regular industrial visits
  • Interaction with the alumni students working in the industry.
  • Networking with the placement team

What are the types of projects that the students are working on through this program?

“Research-based projects in the field of microbiology and genetics”

Through project work, our students learn to find a problem and its solution pertaining to a specific field. They take up projects in the field of clinical microbiology, environmental microbiology, fermentation technology, food microbiology, genetic counselling, genetic disorders, bioinformatics, medical genetics, etc.