Puducherry: The Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) hosted a Franco-Indian Campus programme on Tuesday to promote academic and research collaboration in healthcare under the ILIADE consortium — “Innovation through plants and artificial intelligence for India and France.”

The ILIADE consortium comprises four French and four Indian universities and institutes working to strengthen cooperation in research, training, and faculty and student exchanges.

Speaking on the occasion, French Consul General in Puducherry Etienne Holland-Piegue highlighted the centuries-old Indo-French relationship, recalling the establishment of JIPMER nearly two centuries ago as 'École de Médicine de Pondichéry.' He said the ILIADE project would open new avenues for AI-driven medical research and innovation.

JIPMER Director Dr. V.S. Negi emphasised the institute's historic ties with France and said the collaboration would enrich learning experiences for students and researchers from both nations. He outlined the facilities offered to visiting French scholars under the programme.

Prof. Reena Gulati, principal coordinator of the ILIADE project at JIPMER, led discussions between faculty members from the participating institutions on potential research collaborations. The French delegation also visited several JIPMER departments with shared research interests.