Tripura Institute of Paramedical Sciences

Author: Tips College

The Tripura Institute of Paramedical Sciences (TIPS) is the first Public Private Partnership (PPP) model paramedical institute of Tripura established in 2009. It isa joint venture between Govt. of Tripura and BIPS, Kalyani (W.B.). In response to a notification of Govt. of Tripura as regard to expression of interest for a PPP model institute, BIPS applied for the same on 12/11/2008. As a successful bidder, BIPS was given the opportunity to run this first PPP model paramedical institute of Tripura. However, BIPS has a background of successfully running similar kind of institute in West Bengal. At Kalyani, West Bengal, BIPs has been running a four years degree course in B.Pharm (Ayurvedic) in joint collaboration with Govt. of West Bengal, and this course is affiliated under Jadavpur University, Kolkata. The Govt. of Tripura, while handing over this PPP model institute to BIPS, was generous enough to promise and extend all possible help for its commencement from the academic session 2009-10. In a memorandum of understanding, Govt. of Tripura even promised to offer teaching support to TIPS for its students' various practical and demonstration classes at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Agartala Govt. medical College and Hospital, Tripura Medical College & Dr. B.R Ambedkar Memorial Teaching Hospital and Cancer Research Centre, Agartala. Recently it has been crowned as the one and only technical institute in Tripura certified with ISO 9001:2008.

TIPS, the PPP model Institute, is perhaps the most beautiful building of Tripura as far as its architectural accomplishment, grandeur and masonry craftsmanship are concerned. Its planning for development of an academic establishment is praiseworthy. The college campus is within three kilometers from Tripura Central University, five kilometers from Agartala Bus Stand and thirty kilometers from Agartala Airport. With immense help from the authority of Tripura University, the institute received its affiliation practically in no time. Subsequently, the institute received its affiliation for its seven degree courses and one diploma course for the academic session (2009-10).

These are -

B.Sc. in Medical Radio Diagnosis and Imaging Technology (ISRT affiliated)

B.Sc. in Medical Radiotherapy Technology (AERB certified)

B.Sc. in Optometry and Vision Science

B.Sc. in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation (IAP affiliated)

B.Sc. in Hospital Management

B.Sc. in Medical Laboratory Technology

B.Sc. in Medical Laboratory Technology (Operation Theatre)

From the last academic session (2011-12), the institute received affiliation from Indian Nursing Council, New Delhi for implementing one new course (ANM) namely, Multipurpose Worker (MPW) (Male and Female) under recommendation of Tripura State Nursing Council, Agartala. All laboratories are well equipped and has started functioning from current academic year. As it's eligibility for admission will be class 10+2 from any stream so many students can take the same course and after passing the job opportunity will be higher than others. Presently the state government has a short fall of nearly 8000 field worker in health sector only. So these students can fulfil this huge gap and serve better to the all kind of persons especially in BPL sector.

Subsequently, the syllabi of these courses and the rules and regulations of TIPS also got approval from Tripura University. The 1stacademic session although commenced on 31.07.09, however, the institute was formally inaugurated on 24.08.2009 by Sri Manik Sarkar, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tripura. Several dignitaries, namely Shri Tapan Chakraborty, Hon'ble Minister-in-Charge of Health and Family Welfare and Education, Govt. of Tripura, Prof. Dr. Arunoday Saha, V.C., Tripura University, Shri Y. P. Singh, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Tripura, Shri Khagen Das, MP, Shri Motilal Sarkar, MP, Shri Nirmal Khatri, MP, and Shri Dilip Sarkar, MLA, and Dr. S. R. Debbarma, DHS, Govt. of Tripura were present in that inaugural function.

The institute has developed excellent laboratories with modern cutting edge equipments worth Rs. 4.50 Crores. The pre-clinical laboratories namely Biochemistry, Physiology, Microbiology, Histopathology, Haematology are extraordinarily equipped as far as a paramedical institute is concerned. Equipments like ELISA reader, UV double beam spectrophotometer, auto-analyzer, polygraph recorder, BMR apparatus, Trinocular microscope with analyzing software for histomorphometric analysis, etc. Three paramedical laboratories namely Physiotherapy, Optometry and Vision Science, and Radio-imaging also deserve well mentioning. Optometry laboratory claims to be one of the finest in Tripura. Physiotherapy laboratory, apart from its treatment facilities, also has rehabilitation training arrangements. Radiology laboratory also has its required equipments namely, three channel ECG machine, defibrillator, TMT, Holter, USG, Multiparamonitor, Spirometer, etc. Substantial expenses also had incurred for development of other infrastructural aspects like classrooms, books and library, computer laboratory, sports and games facilities and hostel and staff requirements, etc. Most of the class rooms are provided with modern teaching aid facilities like LCD projection system and overhead projectors. The institute has internal close-circuit monitoring arrangement for security purpose. The institute provides hostelfacilities to its students, both boys and girls, if required.The institute also got affiliation from Tripura University for research purpose under our Principal Prof. Dr. Chandan Mitra and he has already started the all procedures to crown the same in its way.

The total intake of students in the first year was planned to be 40 students in each course, of which 35% student will come through Government nomination. However, during the past threeacademic sessions, the institute is having aproximately 850 students in its 7 degree and 1 diploma courses. From the current session the student strength is 60 in most of the courses.

The institute currently has 23 full time faculty members including Principal in its pre-clinical departments and paramedical courses. Additional fulltime faculties, as per requirement, will be recruited during the next academic session. There are near about 55 Guest Faculties in different subjects including clinicians from different hospitals. There is 10 teaching supportive staff for different laboratories. In addition, there is one laboratory attendant for each laboratory. The whole number of administrative staff currently is 35.

During the last six months, the institute has several creditable activities. The faculties and teaching supportive staff members had involved themselves in forming several in-house committees relevant to various important aspects of the institute.

These are -

  • Scientific Committee
  • Cultural Committee
  • Examination Committee
  • Routine Committee
  • Disciplinary Committee
  • Academic Committee
  • Canteen Committee
  • Library Committee
  • Sports and Games Committee
  • Women's Grievance Cell
  • Hostel Committee for Girls and Boys
  • Anti-ragging Committee
  • Students Welfare Committee (First Aid)
  • Student's Social League Committee (Social Study including Nutritional Status, Work Habit, Health Awareness)
  • Publication Committee

The scientific committee has already organized several seminars. The first speaker was Smt Subhra Karmakar, Lecturer in Physiology, TIPS. Subsequently two other speakers Prof. Dr. C. Mitra, Principal, TIPS and Dr. Aroop Raybarman of Cancer Hospital of Agartala delivered seminars on their subjects of interests. The institute also has the privilege to organize an awareness workshop on Rabies, in joint collaboration with Commonwealth Foundation, Department of ARD, Department of Health and Family Welfare, NRHM, Govt. of Tripura.

The students were encouraged enough to organize Fresher's Day and Teachers Day as per tradition and culture of academia. The students also participated in inter-college football tournament and table tennis trial conducted by Tripura University. The institute already has conducted at different locations of Tripura three free eye camps and one each free camp on "Nutrition Socio-Economic, and Physiological awareness", "Physiotherapy-cum-Physical Fitness" and "Productivity Analysis and work management" respectively by the faculties of Optometry, Physiology, Physiotherapy and Hospital Management. At three eye camps, TIPS authority had provided spectacles to 300 eye patients free of costs.

Future Programmes:

The institute has several upcoming projects for implementation. From the current academic session (2013-14), the institute is expecting affiliation from Indian Nursing Council, New Delhi for implementing one new course B.Sc Nursing under recommendation of Tripura State Nursing Council, Agartala. All laboratories are well equipped and readyto function from current academic year. The students from B.Sc Nursing can prosper in different hospital or can proceed for higher studies also.

The institute has pragmatic outlook in introducing P.G. courses in Physiotherapy, Optometry and Hospital Management in near future. Also as per the course demand some new stream will be opened in paramedic section very soon.

For all the above the institute needs extension of the existing premises along with the supporting structure also like hostel, quarter etc. An estimated project cost for the same has been submitted with the state Government already.

Professional training & placement assistance through reputed multi speciality hospitals and medical college namely Tripura Medical College & Dr. B.R Ambedkar Memorial Teaching hospital Agartala, Indira Gandhi Memorial hospital Agartala, Cancer hospital Agartala, ILS hospital Agartala, Apollo Hospital, Tata Memorial Cancer hospital Kolkata, West Bank hospital Andul, B.P Poddar hospital Kolkata, Medica Hospital Kolkata, Neotia Hospital Kolkata, Medica North Bengal clinic Siliguri, Anandalok hospital Siliguri, AMRI hospital Salt Lake, Vasan Eye care Bangalore, Dr. Agarwal Eye hospital Chennai, Dr. Shroff Eye clinic, Delhi, Laxmi Eye Institute Mumbai, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd-Medical Education, New Delhiand many more are keeping TIPS a step ahead than the others. Definitely TIPS is going to be a international statndard institution in near future.

The Unique Facts about TIPS are :

Its architectural grandeur with a huge campus.

The first PPP model paramedical institute in Tripura, and perhaps in entire North-East.

BMRT (AERB certified) course is certified by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board of India

Minimum course fees coparative to other institution in India

Its affiliation for 7 degree courses and one diploma course along with Nursing course under a single roof, which is unique and no institute in India can offer such facility.

It has potentiality to become one of the most productive institutes to create job opportunities not only in North-East, as well as for entire India.

TIPS has qualified faculties. They are young,dynamic and competent enough to teach paramedical courses. Few faculties have strong research background and are committed for initiating active research at TIPS immediately. Such scientific activities will surely help this institute to earn extra laurel in future.

TIPS also has uniqueness in its different laboratories. Majority of the laboratories has advanced cutting edge equipments. This may be used even for international standard research activities.

The authority of TIPS has pragmatic views as far as its developmental proposals are concerned.

Finally, TIPS authority believes in high motivation and sincerity. They are honest to pay due recognition to all concerned for the upbringing of this unique institute.