Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Monday said that interdisciplinary collaboration and translational research are essential to address the increasingly complex challenges in modern healthcare, and that the future of health sciences lies in the integration of knowledge and technologies from diverse disciplines.

He was speaking after inaugurating the International Conference on “Interdisciplinary Approaches in Health Sciences for Translational Research”, organised by Adichunchanagiri University and the Adichunchanagiri Institute for Molecular Medicine (AIMM) in Nagamangala of Mandya district.

Nirmalanandanatha Swami of Sri Adichunchanagiri Math graced the occasion. Recalling the historic and social contributions of Sri Adichunchanagiri Math, the Governor said that the institution, with a legacy spanning nearly 1,800 years, has rendered remarkable service in the fields of education, healthcare, social equality and nation-building.

He paid tribute to the 71st pontiff, Balagangadharanatha Swami, for his contributions to education, healthcare and social welfare. The Governor also appreciated the leadership of Nirmalanandanatha Swami, under whose guidance the institution has continued to make significant strides in higher education, scientific research, healthcare, skill development and community welfare.

Highlighting the growing healthcare challenges of the present era, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases and mental health disorders, Mr. Gehlot observed that such issues could not be addressed through a single discipline. Effective solutions, he said, require collaboration among experts from medicine, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, public health and engineering.

He noted that artificial intelligence and big data analytics are bringing transformative changes to healthcare by enabling advances in early diagnosis, drug discovery and disease prediction. Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said that the rapid development of vaccines through the collective efforts of scientists, doctors, biotechnologists, statisticians and policymakers stands as a powerful example of the success of interdisciplinary research.

The Governor stated that health research would play a crucial role in realising the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047” and observed that the National Education Policy 2020, with its emphasis on multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary education, is opening new avenues for research and innovation.

He said that institutions such as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Department of Biotechnology, the Department of Science and Technology and various universities are making significant contributions in the fields of genomics, stem cell research, nanomedicine, telemedicine and digital health.

The Governor also underlined the importance of integrating Ayurveda, Yoga and modern medical sciences to create holistic healthcare systems that are more effective and humane. He noted that the participation of scientists and researchers from leading international institutions, including Hokkaido University, reflects the growing importance of global scientific partnerships.

Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil, former Minister and MLA N. Cheluvarayaswamy, K.N. Ganesh, Vice-Chancellor S.N. Sridhar, Registrar C.K. Subbaraya, former V-C K.S. Rangappa, Shin-ichiro Nishimura of Japan, AIMM Director Shobit, along with scientists, researchers, academicians and students from India and abroad, were present.