NTR Health University reviews 1,622 undergraduate research applications

Dr NTR University of Health Sciences has completed the evaluation of 1,622 applications under its Undergraduate Student Research Scholarships 2026 programme, reflecting a sharp increase in medical research engagement across Andhra Pradesh.

The university's Ph.D. and Research Committee examined the applications during a three-day review session conducted in Vijayawada. Vice-Chancellor P. Chandrasekhar led the meetings, which also audited the six-month progress of ongoing Ph.D. scholars and existing projects funded under Faculty Research Grants.

Expanding research grants for postgraduates

To build research capacity beyond standard coursework, the committee decided to allocate between 10 and 25 grants from its total pool of 200 Faculty Research Grants specifically to postgraduate students. These dedicated funds will support independent research projects that fall outside students' mandatory academic dissertations.

The university said the dedicated postgraduate allocation will give young doctors hands-on experience in study design, data collection, statistical analysis, and scientific writing, establishing research habits early in their professional development.

Modernising medical education with AI

The committee also outlined plans to incorporate Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health modules into both undergraduate and postgraduate medical curricula. University leaders have scheduled a dedicated meeting to finalize the framework and syllabus for these courses.

Registrar T. Sai Sudheer and Director of Research and Development M. Lakshmi Surya Prabha took part in the review alongside faculty heads. The university has not yet confirmed the total financial value of the undergraduate scholarship scheme or the exact start date for the new digital health curriculum.