Page 69 - The Indian Digital Edition September-October 2020

feelings are no different from any of AG: It is not just M.Optom, they
the optometrists who are speaking are successfully running a B.Optom “ WE ARE EVER IN
against this proposal. In my opinion, program too. We are unable to FAVOUR OF THE
this is not “just” a project, but a understand the need to get into INDUSTRY AND
death knell for optometric education this collaboration and run a parallel TRADE SUPPORTING
and optometry as a profession. program. This collaboration is not OPTOMETRY
21 September is a “black day” in industry endorsed; it is industry EDUCATION. WE
st
the history of Indian optometry. managed. Had it only been endorsed; WELCOME THEM WITH
Optometrists will rue this day for we would not have any objections. FOLDED HANDS. THEY
generations to come. I had said This program is stated to be run along CAN SPONSOR LABS,
earlier that it is an inappropriate with industry. This is not acceptable to THEY CAN SPONSOR
marriage. The entire profession is the fraternity. The interests of both the BOOKS.... ”
questioning the legitimacy of this partners are clearly visible and do not the concerns, and sort them out. It
wedding. Will anyone accept the require any explanations. is quite a simple issue to be resolved
validity of M.B.B.S course partnered As mentioned, this collaboration at this point of time. However, our
with a pharmaceutical company? This will prove to be the death knell for plea is falling on deaf ears. In the best
partnership can only be deemed as primary eye care in India. How can interest of optometric education,
the collaboration of conveniences, one expect a graduate trained in this profession of optometry and eye
which is not in favour of optometry manner to take care of the clinical care needs of Indian population, this
as a profession and eye care of requirements of the people? must be resolved before the situation
Indian population. TIO: Do you think that such a turns malignant.
TIO: As Chitkara University partnership will allow corporates to TIO: In what ways can the industry
is already running a MOptom dictate the curriculum of optometry? and trade work together for the
programme with Sankara Eye Hospital What steps can the University take benefit of optometry academia?
and Lotus Eye Hospital Mumbai, is to safeguard the interests of AG: We are ever in favour of
there actually a need for an industry- optometry education? the industry and trade supporting
endorsed specialised program? Will AG: Corporate interference in the optometry education. We welcome
such a tie-up prove to be instrumental curriculum is precisely our concern them with folded hands. They can
or detrimental in shaping the future of and the point of discord. We are sponsor labs, they can sponsor books,
primary eye care need in India? afraid that this phenomenon will they can propagate optometry as
have a mushrooming effect and ruin a profession, they can run finishing
optometric education and in turn schools for graduates, they can
“ THIS the profession. institute awards for graduates to
COLLABORATION Chitkara University should encourage them to pursue their
WILL PROVE TO BE understand this point and not partner education and interest in optometry
further. There is a lot that they can do
THE DEATH KNELL the program with organisations to foster growth of our profession. We
FOR PRIMARY EYE which will not be able to provide a need them and always look forward to
CARE IN INDIA. HOW full scope clinical optometry training their support. However, interference
CAN ONE EXPECT A to the students. I feel that is the basic in academics is not acceptable.
essence of permitting academia to
GRADUATE TRAINED partner with hospitals to provide TIO: Thank you very much for
IN THIS MANNER clinical training. sharing your views with us. We
TO TAKE CARE sincerely hope that common sense
OF THE CLINICAL TIO: In your opinion, what will be will prevail and the issue will be
REQUIREMENTS OF an ideal solution to resolve the issue? amicably resolved in the best interests
THE PEOPLE ” should sit across the table, understand of optometric education and eye care
AG: All the parties in question
needs of people at large.

SEPT-OCT 2020 | 63 Interview