Regional Center for Precision Nutrition and Health

Vision

  1. Facilitate regional policy discussions and conducting precision research.
  2. Build regional capacity in nutrition and health.
  3. Serve as a regional collaborative hub to enhance academic engagement in reducing public health and nutrition inequities in policies and programs.

Incubation

  • Autonomous center
  • Initially housed within the Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology.

Objectives

  • To provide technical and capacity building and knowledge services to improve effectiveness and reduce inequities in nutrition and health programs.
  • To act as an apex regional point of care diagnostics, artificial intelligence, digital health, and technological innovation hub.
  • To catalyze collaborations between global and regional academia for research and training.
  • Organize scientific symposiums to support evidence-informed decisions and regional momentum.

The 4 Strategic Pillars: Pillar 1 & 2

Capacity Strengthening

• Initiate executive courses on Cochrane methods, policy, systems and implementation science research, geospatial and AI analytics, evidence synthesis, science communication and other areas identified by member nations for use in public health and nutrition.

• Launch a South–South Research Fellowship Programme.

Novel Technological Advancements

• Establish a Regional Point of Care Diagnostic Lab supported by Cornell Joan Klein Jacobs Center.

• Provide biomarker surveillance and diagnostic support.

• Promote digital platforms, robotics, AI, IoT, and 3D printing to strengthen programs.

The 4 Strategic Pillars: Pillar 3 & 4

Knowledge Services to SAARC Secretariat

• Support SAARC Secretariat with analytics, AI, and geospatial data.

• Facilitate cross-country comparative studies and predictive analytics.

Public Policy Support & Collaboration

• Establish collaborative learning and real-time evaluation programs.

• Publish dashboards and regional reports for policymakers.

• Create a platform for networking among South Asian academic diaspora and institutions.