In a virtual ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the new G+2 building of Patna University’s Population Research Centre (PRC) from Rajkot. The estimated cost of Rs 8.50 crore for the construction of the building on a one-acre plot at Rani Ghat has been sanctioned by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The event, attended by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, and Ministers of State S P Singh Baghel and Bharati Pravin Pawar, witnessed the PM expressing his support for the initiative.
The new PRC building, slated to be ready by July, will be a significant addition to the 57-year-old research center, which has so far operated from an annexe of the postgraduate statistics department of Patna University.
Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Patna University and the Union Ministry, the new building at Rani Ghat will host both teaching and research activities. With six classrooms, a spacious modern conference hall accommodating 250 people, a dedicated IT section, and an artificial intelligence lab, the complex aims to enhance research capabilities.
The PM has urged the centre to offer advanced courses and training in big data statistics and bio-statistics. Furthermore, the proposed complex includes provisions for a guesthouse, a training center, and a focus on courses from certificate to postgraduate levels in population studies.
In line with the collaboration, the PRC is also set to introduce a Health Management Information System (HMIS) and provide training to medical and paramedical staff of the state government. The HMIS is a web-based monitoring information system established by the health ministry for effective monitoring and policy formulation related to health programs.
The Vice-Chancellor of Patna University, K C Sinha, expressed gratitude to the PM for initiating the construction of one of the oldest population research centers in the country. The new facility is expected to benefit the youth and students of the state, offering a dedicated space for advanced research and academic pursuits.
