Tirupati: SPMVV to focus on adolescent health

Tirupati: Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (SPMVV) has come up with another initiative called, "Trans disciplinary Research Initiative Centre for Adolescent Health" (TRICA). The objective of TRICA is to improve research capacities of post graduate students, research scholars and young faculty to carry trans disciplinary research in the context of adolescent health.

The UGC provides financial assistance of Rs.63.50 lakhs for a period of three years under The Scheme for Trans-Disciplinary Research for India's Developing Economy (STRIDE). As part of this initiative the Centre conducts a series of training and workshops and a 6-week intensive training to the target group addressing adolescents' health issues.

It will also provide the seed money to the students and young faculty to carry out research and to provide evidence based data on adolescent health for policy makers. Prof V Uma of Social Work department will be the coordinator of the centre while Prof P Vijaya Lakshmi from the department of Communication and Journalism is the Principal Investigator. Prof P Uma Maheswari Devi from Microbiology and Prof R Usha from Bio Technology will act as Co-investigators.

The Vice Chancellor Prof D Jamuna appreciated the initiative saying that it would inculcate innovative thinking, problem based learning by crossing the disciplinary boundaries in developing multifaceted strategies in addressing adolescent health issues.

The Center so far has extended training to 400 participants which include students and staff of SPMVV through a training programme. Explaining about the TRICA, Prof Vijaya Lakshmi told The Hans India that this type of 'trans disciplinary research' approach facilitates students and staff from different disciplines to work in research teams.