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To help expand its influence globally and attract additional students, the Health Science Center’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) is launching its first joint degree program with an institution outside this country.

The College of Biological Sciences at the Dayananda Sagar Institutions in Bangalore, India, is teaming with the Health Science Center to offer our master of science degree in Clinical Research Management (CRM) to its students in India.

The 24-month program begins with a semester of biochemistry and biostatistics at the institute in Bangalore, India’s third largest city, followed by two semesters in more specialized sciences and a six-week practicum at the Health Science Center. Then students return to Bangalore for a 24-week internship at approved sites there. The degree is conferred to those who successfully complete the program by the Health Science Center.

Clinical research managers are in high demand in India as more and more companies expand their clinical trials there – attracted by the large genetic pool, the well educated population and the attractive cost of doing business. The industry needs about 10,000 CRM professionals per year, but only 600 qualified graduates per year are available.

"International joint degree programs like this one help us broaden our relationships with institutions around the world and enrich our faculty network," said Patricia Gwirtz, PhD, assistant dean, GSBS. "At the same time, the program creates badly needed clinical research management professionals in India. It’s a win-win."

Jamboor Vishnawatha, PhD, dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and the Dayananda Sagar Institutions’ Jagannatha Rao, PhD, (who was formerly at the Health Science Center), created the program.

The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is recruiting students for the program – classes start this summer.

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