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Australian university in e-learning venture with Indian hospital group

25 Mar 2013

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India’s Apollo Hospitals Group to supply medical course content to the online learning division of India’s largest healthcare group.

Apollo and UNSW signed the MoU earlier this month, following introductions and meetings through the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade).

As a result, UNSW will provide India’s first training program on infectious diseases to Medvarsity, Apollo’s e-learning portal. The program will be delivered online through the university’s world-class professors and other teachers.

“We are delighted to work with the Medvarsity and the Apollo Group in contributing to educational aspects of control of infectious diseases,” said Professor Raina MacIntyre, head of the UNSW School of Public Health and Community Medicine.

“We have spent many years building relationships in India and understanding the Indian context for educational programs, and this represents an exciting collaboration for us,” she said.

Infectious disease treatment is critical in India where population density in some areas can lead to the rapid spread of contagious diseases, such as influenza. Illnesses transmitted by mosquitoes and other insects, such as dengue fever, are also a threat.

The course will address immunisation programs, epidemic control and other issues related to the public health aspects of controlling infectious diseases. The program includes intensive training by a team of UNSW and Apollo academics, as well as practical learning under experienced infectious disease physicians in Apollo hospitals.

Apollo Hospitals Group is one of Asia’s largest healthcare companies, with more than 8500 beds in 50 hospitals across India. The group began in 1983 with a single, 150-bed hospital in the South Indian city of Chennai.