Date: 11th December 2024
Agenda: Hands-on Session on Protocol Writing
Resource Person: Dr. Mukesh Kumar, Adjunct Professor, SDU, Former Head, Division of IH & HRD (ICMR), Hqrs, New Delhi, and Former Director of the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (IFCPAR/CEFIPRA), a Bi-National Centre of the Governments of India and France

The session was designed to provide personalized, one-on-one guidance to four selected faculty members on protocol writing.

Participating Faculty Members:

1. Dr. Deepika Agrawal, Department of Community Medicine
2. Dr. Veenu Agrawal, Department of Paediatrics
3. Dr. Brijesh Saran, Department of Psychiatry
4. Dr. Sarita Aggrawal, Department of Ophthalmology

During the session, the faculty members' proposals were reviewed and discussed in detail:

• Dr. Veenu Agrawal’s proposal underwent corrections and was submitted to Dr. Mukesh Kumar for further review.
• Proposals from Dr. Brijesh Saran, Dr. Sarita Aggrawal, and Dr. Deepika Agrawal were in the preliminary stages. Corrections were suggested for these proposals, and the revised versions will be submitted after updates are made.

The hands-on session provided valuable insights and tailored guidance, aiming to improve the quality and precision of the proposals.

On 10th December 2024, a Proposal Writing Workshop was conducted at LT-4, 4th Floor, SDU, from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm, under the esteemed chairmanship of (Prof.) Dr. Jyoti Batra, Dean Research. The session was led by Dr. Mukesh Kumar, Adjunct Professor at SDU, former Head (IH & HRD) at ICMR, and former Director of the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (IFCPAR/CEFIPRA), a bi-national initiative of the Indian and French governments.

Workshop Highlights:
The workshop provided detailed insights into crafting successful research proposals, particularly for national funding agencies in India. (Prof.) Dr. Jyoti Batra inaugurated the event with an introduction to Dr. Mukesh Kumar’s extensive experience in international funding programs, spanning over 30 years.

Dr. Mukesh Kumar shared practical guidance on applying for various types of research grants, such as investigator-initiated research projects, ad hoc research proposals, and funding calls like Requests for Applications (RFA) and Program Announcements (PA). He also emphasized the key principles of grant success, including the following:

Key Learnings:

• Crafting a Compelling Proposal:

  • Conduct thorough literature reviews to identify research gaps and ensure your proposal reflects the latest developments.
  • Prepare a detailed Gantt chart outlining realistic timelines and milestones.
  • Write proposals with clarity, assuming someone else will execute the project.
  • Avoid preconceived notions about funding outcomes.

• Salesmanship in Proposals:

  • Think from a reviewer’s perspective and anticipate their questions.
  • Clearly define the roles and expertise of each team member.
  • Maintain focus on relevance to Indian research priorities.

• Budgeting and Ethics:

  • Create realistic, justified budgets while avoiding inflated costs.
  • Adhere to ethical standards, irrespective of funding outcomes.
  • Ensure no double funding occurs from multiple sources.

• Feedback and Resubmission:

  • Seek critical reviews of proposals and remain open to feedback.
  • Treat critiques as opportunities for improvement.
  • Prepare for resubmissions and request technical advice from funding agencies.

Dr. Mukesh Kumar emphasized that scientific merit is the primary determinant of funding approval, regardless of the type of institution. He cited examples of successful projects from both private and government organizations to motivate attendees.

Key Takeaways:

• Quality matters more than the institutional type—private and government institutions are equally eligible for funding.
• Preparation, clarity, and relevance are essential for crafting a winning proposal.
• Persistence is key—resubmissions and continuous refinement lead to success.

Hands-On Training:
Following the workshop, eight faculty members were selected for one-on-one sessions with Dr. Mukesh Kumar on 11th and 12th December 2024. The selected participants included faculty from departments such as Community Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Ophthalmology. Additional participants from the Dental College were to be finalized by Dr. Akshay Bhargava, Dean Dental.

Actionable Steps for Researchers:

• Refine your research proposal with a focus on clarity and relevance.
• Seek critical peer and expert feedback.
• Develop a detailed timeline and a realistic budget.
• Ensure compliance with technical and ethical requirements.
• Stay updated with the latest developments in your field.

Q & A Session Highlights:

• Collaborative funding opportunities were discussed.
• The importance of having a primary study coordinator was confirmed.
• Follow-up sessions were suggested for personalized guidance.

Next Steps:

• Researchers were encouraged to continue refining their proposals and seeking feedback.
• Staying engaged with ongoing advancements in research was emphasized as a critical step.

Participation and Engagement: The workshop saw enthusiastic participation from 65 faculty members, who actively engaged in discussions and interactive sessions. The event concluded with an inspirational message from (Prof.) Dr. Jyoti Batra, urging researchers to remain committed and persistent in their pursuit of research funding opportunities.

Date: 9th December 2024
Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Venue: LT-4, 4th Floor, Santosh Deemed to be University (SDU)
Purpose: Introduction to Research Fundamentals and Development of Research Skills

The Orientation on Research for the first-year MBBS students aimed to familiarize them with the essentials of research, ignite their interest in academic inquiry, and equip them with the foundational tools for their research journey. The session was chaired by (Prof.) Dr. Jyoti Batra, Dean Research, and attended by faculty members, research scholars, and 73 enthusiastic students.

Agenda Highlights

• Introduction to Research Fundamentals: A comprehensive session to introduce the basic principles and practices of research in medicine.
• Student Interests and Challenges: The Dean’s address emphasized the critical role of research in academic and professional growth. Students engaged in an interactive session, discussing their research interests, challenges, and methodological concerns.
• Research Support Team Introduction: Faculty members and Ph.D. scholars, including Ms. Kirti Bharadwaj (Statistician), Ms. Sonakshi Bhargava, and Dr. Shazia Saifi, were introduced to students. Their role in guiding and mentoring students through research challenges was outlined.
• Research Resources and Tools Presentation: Students were introduced to essential tools and resources, such as Scopus and research database navigation. A practical demonstration on navigating these tools was delivered by the research team.

Key Points Discussed

• Dean’s Research Address: Dr. Jyoti Batra highlighted the importance of research in developing critical thinking and advancing medical knowledge. She encouraged students to identify their interests and overcome potential challenges with proper guidance.

• Interactive Q&A Session: Students raised important queries about research ethics, plagiarism policies, sample size determination, reference management, and selecting quartile journals for publication. The session addressed their concerns and provided clear guidance.

• Hands-On Learning: A practical demonstration on using research databases and tools equipped students with skills to access and analyze scholarly resources effectively.

• Encouragement for Collaboration: The session emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary and collaborative research approaches while fostering strong mentor-student relationships.

Next Steps

• Conduct follow-up sessions to deepen research skills.
• Arrange individual mentorship meetings with faculty and scholars.
• Plan a comprehensive workshop to enhance research methodologies.

The session concluded with an inspiring message encouraging students to actively participate in research and leverage institutional support to embark on their academic research journey.

Date: 9th December 2024
Time: 10:00 AM
Venue: Board Room, 1st Floor, Central Research Facility
Organized by: (Prof.) Dr. Jyoti Batra, Dean Research
Resource Persons:

• Dr. Shukla Das, Adjunct Professor, Microbiology, UCMS and GTB Hospital
• Dr. Arun Kumar Sharma, Adjunct Professor, Community Medicine, UCMS and GTB Hospital

The visit of adjunct professors Dr. Shukla Das and Dr. Arun Kumar Sharma marked a pivotal step toward strengthening research collaboration and addressing challenges in research activities. The meeting, chaired by (Prof.) Dr. Jyoti Batra, commenced with a warm introduction of the distinguished resource persons.

Key Highlights of the Meeting:

• Discussion of Challenges and Support Needs: Faculty members from the departments of Community Medicine, Pharmacology, and Microbiology actively participated in the discussions. Common challenges such as time constraints, workload management, prioritization of research, and the need for effective networking and collaboration were highlighted.
• Research Project Submission Plan: Dr. Arun Kumar Sharma emphasized the importance of setting tangible goals and proposed the submission of at least 3-4 research projects by February 2025 to accelerate research output.
• MoU with UCMS: A key outcome of the meeting was the decision to expedite the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UCMS. Dr. Arun Kumar Sharma assured his support in prioritizing the process, which is expected to be completed within 2-3 weeks.
• Initiation of Collaboration: To ensure effective communication and collaboration, it was decided that interaction between SDU faculty members and the adjunct professors would begin immediately, starting from 9th December 2024.
• Follow-Up Schedule: Both adjunct professors, Dr. Shukla Das and Dr. Arun Kumar Sharma, committed to sharing their schedules for subsequent visits to SDU in the following week to facilitate continued engagement.

Participation: The meeting witnessed the active participation of 10 faculty members from the relevant departments, who engaged in meaningful discussions to address challenges and explore collaborative opportunities.

Outcomes and Next Steps:

• Finalize and submit 3-4 research projects by February 2025.
• Complete the MoU with UCMS within 2-3 weeks.
• Strengthen communication and collaboration with adjunct professors and faculty members.
• Plan subsequent meetings and visits to sustain momentum in research activities.

This visit underscored the commitment of Santosh Deemed to be University to foster a culture of research excellence through strategic collaboration and proactive support.

Date: 07.12.2024
Time: 03:00 PM – 04:00 PM
Venue: Online
Chairperson: (Prof.) Dr. Jyoti Batra

Purpose: The meeting aimed to orient the new Ph.D. scholars (Batch Sep. 2024) regarding the academic coursework, guidelines, and expectations.

Attendees: The session was chaired by Dr. Jyoti Batra and attended by Ms. Kirti Bharadwaj and 15 scholars.

Key Points Discussed:

• Attendance for Coursework:

  • Attendance is mandatory for all scholars.
  • Minimum attendance criteria must be met for successful completion of the coursework.

• Credit Points for Coursework:

  • Scholars are required to complete specific credit points as outlined in the academic guidelines.

• Syllabus Overview:

  • A detailed discussion of the syllabus was conducted.
  • Scholars' queries regarding the syllabus were addressed.

• JRF/SRF Application:

  • Guidance was provided for applying to Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Senior Research Fellowship (SRF).
  • Scholars were advised to prepare and submit their applications within the next 15 days.

• Protocol for Coursework:

  • Protocols and guidelines for coursework were explained.
  • Scholars were instructed to follow the established procedures strictly.
  • The coursework schedule was shared, and scholars were asked to align their activities accordingly.

Action Items:

• Ensure regular attendance and active participation in coursework.
• Complete credit point requirements within the stipulated timeframe.
• Follow the syllabus and seek clarification for any doubts from supervisors.
• Prepare and submit JRF/SRF applications timely.
• Adhere to the coursework protocols strictly.
• Align academic and research plans with the coursework schedule.

Meeting Conclusion: Dr. Jyoti Batra emphasized the significance of successfully completing the coursework and adhering to the provided guidelines. The meeting concluded with a Q&A session, during which scholars' concerns were addressed.

On 21st November 2024, an orientation session on the Research Funding Process was conducted under the guidance of Dr. O.P. Kalra, HOD & Professor (Neurology), and Dr. Jyoti Batra, Dean Research. The session was led by Dr. Mukesh Kumar, Adjunct Professor at SDU, with an illustrious background as the former Head, Division of IH & HRD, ICMR, and former Director of the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (IFCPAR/CEFIPRA).

Agenda:

• Exploring research funding opportunities, particularly from ICMR and other agencies.
• Encouraging participants to overcome hesitations in submitting research proposals.
• Providing practical guidance on effective proposal writing and review processes.

Session Highlights:

• Introduction and Agenda Setting:

  • Dr. Jyoti Batra introduced Dr. Mukesh Kumar, highlighting his extensive expertise in medical research and international funding programs.
  • Dr. O.P. Kalra outlined the meeting's objectives, emphasizing the importance of leveraging research funding opportunities and addressing the complexities of proposal submission.

• Exploring Funding Opportunities:

  • Dr. Mukesh Kumar provided a detailed overview of funding opportunities from agencies such as ICMR, DBT, DST, and others.
  • Participants from diverse research domains, including genetics, diabetes, stem cell medicine, and environmental health, engaged in discussions to identify strategies for successful funding.

• Key Insights on Proposal Development:

  • Dr. Mukesh analyzed faculty-submitted proposals, noting that only 50% of participants had previously attempted writing project proposals.
  • He emphasized that research not only contributes to career growth but also strengthens the institution’s academic standing.

• Challenges and Recommendations:

  • Common challenges like hesitancy in proposal submission, reasons for rejection, and navigating funding processes were addressed.
  • Key recommendations included:
    • Aligning proposals with funding agency mandates.
    • Monitoring funding agency updates regularly.
    • Seeking critical feedback from experts.
    • Maintaining ethical integrity in all submissions.

• Future Workshops:

  • Dr. Mukesh proposed follow-up workshops on Grantsmanship (tentatively scheduled for the second week of December 2024) to enhance proposal-writing skills.
  • He encouraged junior faculty to submit at least one project proposal annually.
  • Upcoming workshops will also focus on identifying suitable funding agencies and improving existing proposals.

• Funding Agencies Discussed:

  • Prominent funding organizations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Tata Foundation, Azim Premji Foundation, Reliance Foundation, Wellcome Group, SERB, and British Heart Foundation, were highlighted as potential sources for research grants.

• Interactive Q&A:

  • Faculty members such as Dr. Deepika Agarwal, Dr. Poonam, Dr. Alka, Dr. Dakshana Bisht, and Mr. Sivabalan raised queries about proposal submissions and funding challenges.
  • Dr. Mukesh assured that these concerns would be addressed comprehensively during the upcoming workshops.

Participation and Conclusion:

• The session saw participation from 20 faculty members across the Medical College, Hospital, and Dental College.
• The meeting concluded at 4:30 pm, with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Jyoti Batra, encouraging continued efforts in research and collaboration.

Key Takeaways:

• Regularly monitor funding agency announcements.
• Develop well-crafted, ethically sound proposals.
• Consistent effort and resubmissions increase funding success.

Next Steps:

• Attend the upcoming Grantsmanship Workshop for hands-on training.
• Continue refining research proposals based on feedback.
• Explore funding opportunities aligned with research domains.

This orientation session laid the groundwork for a deeper understanding of research funding, inspiring participants to pursue funding opportunities with confidence and clarity.