Two-Day Radiobiology Course Begins at IMS-BHU in Varanasi

Varanasi, June 29, 2026: A two-day short course on "Radiobiology: Concepts and Applications" began at the Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University.

The programme brought together nearly 70 postgraduate students and young professionals from different parts of India, according to BHU's public activity record. The course is focused on radiobiology, radiation oncology, radiotherapy and recent clinical applications.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi inaugurated the programme and underlined the importance of interactive learning. The official BHU note said he encouraged participants to remain curious, ask questions and engage meaningfully with experts.

Course Brings Young Medical Professionals Together

The short course has been designed for postgraduate students and early-career professionals who need a stronger grounding in radiation science and its clinical use. Radiobiology forms the scientific base for understanding how radiation affects cells, tissues and tumours.

At a teaching hospital such as IMS-BHU, such academic programmes help connect classroom learning with clinical decision-making. They also create a shared space for participants to discuss emerging tools, treatment approaches and research questions.

Focus on Radiotherapy and Clinical Applications

BHU's record said Prof. Satyajit Pradhan, former Director of Tata Memorial Centre, Varanasi, described clinical knowledge, radiobiology and medical physics as essential pillars of radiation oncology. He noted that a sound understanding of radiobiology is fundamental to the principles and applications of radiotherapy.

The programme also included expert academic sessions. Prof. Manoj Gupta, Director of Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun and former Dean of AIIMS Rishikesh, delivered a session on clinical applications of radiation in cancer treatment and effective radiotherapy approaches.

BHU Push for Advanced Medical Education

During the inauguration, Prof. Chaturvedi also encouraged the department to prepare an ambitious development plan and explore steps that could help it emerge as a leading centre for education and research. BHU's note said he welcomed the proposal to introduce an M.Sc. programme in Medical Physics, subject to further institutional examination.

Prof. Lalit M. Aggarwal, Organising Chairman, highlighted the importance of the course in strengthening professional competence in the field of radiotherapy. The programme was presided over by Prof. S. N. Sankhwar, Director, IMS-BHU.

Why Radiobiology Matters

Radiobiology is central to modern cancer care because it helps doctors and researchers understand how radiation can be used safely and effectively. It also supports advances in treatment planning, dose optimisation and patient-centred radiotherapy.

For medical education in Varanasi, the short course adds another focused academic platform at IMS-BHU. It is expected to help young professionals build stronger scientific foundations for future clinical and research work.