Udaipur– The Population Research Centre (PRC) at Mohanlal Sukhadia University (MLSU) in Udaipur has taken center stage in reshaping India’s demographic research landscape. On Wednesday, the university hosted the inaugural session of a two-day national meeting of the Scientific and Advisory Committee, bringing together senior researchers, officials, and advisors from 18 PRCs across 16 states. Held at the university’s guest house auditorium, the event highlighted the urgent need to modernize research methodologies by leveraging advanced technologies and multi-study data integration.

The meeting emphasized that research outcomes should move beyond reliance on primary data, incorporating insights from diverse studies to enhance accuracy and relevance. With new technologies transforming PRC operations, experts noted that research findings are now more precise and impactful than ever before.

A Collaborative Approach to Research Excellence

In his keynote address, Dr. Rakesh Maurya, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, outlined the meeting’s ambitious agenda, which includes evaluating 47 study subjects, 16 of which were assigned by the Program Division (PD). These studies will undergo thorough assessments to determine their necessity and strategic direction. Dr. Maurya stressed the importance of aligning research with technological advancements to ensure actionable outcomes, with PRCs setting objectives and PD providing critical feedback.

Professor U.S. Mishra, Chairman of the PMU, called for strengthening PRCs to drive meaningful change. “The stronger our PRC network, the more transformative our impact,” he said, pledging to bolster these centers. The session was attended by notable figures, including Dr. Indu Grewal (Assistant Commissioner, Family Planning), Dr. D.A. Nagdeve (Chairman, PSAC), Dr. B.C. Garg (Registrar, MLSU), and Dr. Sudha Chaudhary (Director, PRC).

The meeting featured engaging technical sessions where researchers from PRCs in cities like Lucknow, Guwahati, Shimla, Pune, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Kerala, and Punjab discussed cutting-edge research strategies. Through presentations, participants delved into the nuances of subject selection, research planning, and statistical methodologies, reaching a consensus on priority research areas to tackle pressing demographic issues.

Dr. B.C. Garg described the event as a milestone for MLSU, emphasizing the unique opportunity to host leading researchers. He announced plans for interactive sessions between visiting scholars and local researchers, aiming to spark new ideas and collaborations.

The two-day meeting continues to serve as a platform for shaping the future of population research in India, blending innovation, collaboration, and strategic vision to address the nation’s evolving demographic challenges.