Master of Science - Herbal Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs

Objec�veThe demand for herbal products is growing rapidly and is projected to reach US $ 115 billion by 2020 as per recent reports published by Global Industry Analysts Inc., a worldwide business strategy and market intelligence source. This is driven by the growing adop�on of preven�ve care as a safe and effec�ve strategy to improve health and wellbeing. Europe represents the largest market worldwide, while Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing market with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) at 9% over the analysis period (2006-2012).

The two key challenges faced by the herbal industry today are: (a) shortage of skilled & well trained human resources and (b) lack of clarity on regulatory affairs to ensure quality and efficacy of herbal products for marke�ng. To address these challenges, the TransDisciplinary University has developed a Master's programme on Herbal Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs. With over two decades of experience in the field of conserva�on, sustainable use and value addi�on to medicinal plants, faculty associated with TDU provides cu�ng-edge insights into dealing with future of both herbal and Ayurvedic industry that needs to be guided by trained manpower.

The course is expected to provide students a pla�orm to specialize in this unique domain and also help meet the needs of the herbal industry and regulatory authori�es, who need trained personnel in this domain

· To bridge the industry-academia gap by providing skilled and directly employable resources in the market

· To develop quality assurance professionals to meet the emerging human resource needs of the herbal industry

· To prepare trained human resources to tap the increasing market demand, globally, in quality product development and deployment.

Uniqueness of the courseThe programme curriculum is uniquely designed to blend both the product and process curriculum models ideal for industry based degree programmes. There are a number of ins�tu�ons that offer training in herbal quality and regula�on, but none who offer a degree programme that will help the herbal industry and regulatory bodies to improve quality and regula�on of herbal products in the market besides preparing students to increasing their employability and entrepreneurship skills. This is one of few such courses endorsed and supported by the industry.

Course details

Semester1: Students will be introduced to basics of herbal industry and project management through theory, prac�ce and field visits. It contributes for a skilled resource in terms of traceability of bio resources, quality supply of the raw materials, resolving issues in supply of herbal raw material to the industry.

During this semester, the students will focus on herbal material sourcing – quality and efficiency, cer�fica�on of herbal raw materials, herbal resource quality control and sta�s�cs, resource management with special reference to community owned enterprises.

Semester 2: Students will be introduced to the basics of herbal industrial set-up such as

procurement of semi-processed raw material to good manufacturing prac�ces. The curriculum during this semester contributes to authen�c iden�fica�on of semi-processed/value added raw drugs, to mass produc�on and crisis management, medicinal plant economics. The following will be taught during this semester - quality assurance of semi-processed raw materials, economics of herbal industry and risk management, process op�miza�on and valida�on of herbal products, good manufacturing prac�ce.

Semester 3: Students will be exposed to quality assurance and regulatory aspects in herbal industry

where the curriculum will contribute to skilled resource in inventory management of private/public/par�cipatory supply chain issues, quality tes�ng of the finished product, packaging and business management of herbal product. The following key topics will be covered during this semester subjects - architecture of herbal processing industry, differen�al quality management of phyto-pharma sector, regulatory issues related to herbal products, business management- legal and policy issues will be taught during this semester.

Semester 4: Students will have to undertake internships and do research in areas of their choice

based on the topics discussed during the course. At the end of the semester students will submit their project work for evalua�on or a thesis/disserta�on for publishing. The project work is expected to contribute to skilled development in project crisis/risk management of herbal products.

Partners The course will be taught by expert faculty at TDU who have more than twenty years of experience in dealing with the subject area. In addi�on, courses will be taught by representa�ves from the industry such as experts from companies such as Dabur, Natural Remedies, Himalaya and others. Legal and regulatory aspects will be taught by lawyers and experts who prac�ce in procurement, supply chain management, IPR, marke�ng and the related. Specific modules will also be taught by local healers and entrepreneurs.

Opportuni�es for students - Poten�al career oppurtuni�es include quality assurance officers,

raw drug analysts/processing advisors/quality control inspectors /industrial produc�on managers, organic cer�fiers/quality auditors, management level posi�on at NGOs / CBOs dealing with medicinal plants, entrepreneurs, op�ons for con�nuing educa�on including pursuing doctoral degree in health care management / herbal industry / raw drugs, and regulatory affairs officers.

FeesTransDisciplinary University wishes to ensure no eligible student aspiring to excel will be deprived of an opportunity to study due to economic reasons. To this end, the following op�ons are available to meritorious student.

TDU's Merit ScholarshipApplicants who apply under this category will be ranked in order of merit. Scholarships ranging from 30% - 40% will be awarded as an incen�ve to high performers. Candidates who have secured 90% aggregate marks in the qualifying examina�ons, 40% waiver on tui�on fee will be provided. For those who have secured 85% aggregate marks and 80% aggregate marks, a scholarship of 35 % and 30% waiver of tui�on fee will be provided respec�vely.

TDU's Need based ScholarshipApplicants are requested to meet the financial counselor at TDU during the admission process. This mee�ng will help TDU to understand the gap between what the aspiring students can “pay” to what ought to be “paid”. Scholarships to the tune of 25 % to 100% will be awarded under the scheme.

Bank LoansTDU will connect the applicants with banks for educa�onal loans

TDU Work Study Assistance This scheme is offered to needy students. It enables them to supplement their finances through part-�me work at or as assigned by TDU

For further Details and Applica�on processvisit: tdu.edu.in/application