One year on from its first visit, the Institute of Clinical Research (ICR) returns to India this month (7-14 November 2006) with a packed itinerary
Chief executive John Hooper and colleague, Alan Needham, are visiting New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai, with the appointment of a country manager top of their agenda.
The new country manager will be based in either New Delhi or Bangalore.
Hooper said; "India is rightly seen as a key emerging destination for conducting clinical trials.
"ICR's remit is to develop professionals, share knowledge and raise standards in clinical trials across the globe and the appointment of a country manager in India will play a big part in that".
ICR's first visit in 2005 was a great success.
Over 800 new members joined up after the visit, which was made following a large number of enquiries from existing members in India about membership, education, training and information.
Along with the interviewing of short-listed country managers, Hooper and Needham will be exploring a wide range of new opportunities for collaboration in India.
Training organisations who have expressed an interest in delivering the ICR's training programmes will be visited as will the Indian Society of Clinical Research, where, among other issues, the ICR will be discussing conferencing opportunities after the signing earlier this year of a memorandum of understanding between the two organisations.
CR Focus, the ICR's flagship journal, will also now be printed locally for the members in India and will include an extra section specifically focussed on India.
Hooper explains: "This is a very exciting time to be visiting India.
"The clinical trials industry is growing rapidly and we want to ensure that the ICR is available to assist with the development of it and our members here as much as possible.
"Our certificate in clinical research examination, designed specifically for India, will be taking place in November.
"Members who successfully pass the exam will not only be completing an assessment, they will also be able to demonstrate their knowledge and when they complete the diploma exam will be able to use our designatory letters, in this case RICR".
The ICR's certificate in clinical research exam is open to clinical research graduates or professionals and will be followed in April 2007 by the ICR diploma in clinical research and the certification exam in 2008.
During the week, the ICR will also be visiting a selection of major academic institutions and key industry organisations with a view to establishing further partnerships.
