Media Release
Udupi, Mar 14: The office of corporate relations at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), in collaboration with Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal, successfully conducted a two-day clinical competency development programme for a specialised team of 16 engineers from the Philips Innovation Centre, Bengaluru. This event, focused on ambulatory monitoring and diagnostics, took place on March 14 and 15, 2024, offering participants comprehensive classroom instruction and hands-on experience with cardiac devices.
The programme was inaugurated on Thursday, March 14 by a gathering of dignitaries from MAHE and Philips. Dr Harish Kumar, director of corporate relations at MAHE, extended a warm welcome to the attendees, followed by Dr Vinod Nayak, Professor of the forensic department at KMC and the programme's coordinator, who provided an insightful overview of the sessions planned.
Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, vice-chancellor of MAHE, emphasised the significance of such initiatives during his inaugural address.
"In the rapidly evolving field of healthcare technology, it's crucial for engineers to stay abreast of clinical applications. Programs like these are vital bridges connecting technical expertise to clinical practice, ensuring advancements in medical technologies are both innovative and relevant," he stated.
Dr Sharath Rao, pro vice-chancellor – Health Sciences at MAHE, highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary learning. "Collaboration between engineers and healthcare professionals is essential for the development of effective and user-friendly medical devices. This programme not only enhances technical competencies but also deepens the understanding of their clinical impact," Dr Rao remarked.
Dr Narayana Sabhahit, Pro vice-chancellor – Technology & Science, MAHE, also commented on the programme's significance. "Integrating technology with medicine is the future. By equipping our engineers with a solid understanding of clinical needs, we are paving the way for groundbreaking innovations in healthcare," he said.
The event was graced by several other dignitaries from MAHE, including C G Muthana, chief operating officer, Dr P Giridhar Kini, registrar, Dr Raviraja N S, director of planning and monitoring, Dr Padmaraj Hegde, dean of KMC, Manipal, Dr Avinash Shetty, medical superintendent of KMC, Manipal, Dr Naveen Salins, associate dean – Research at KMC, Manipal, Abhimanyu Pradhan, assistant professor at MCHP, and Sachin Karanth, deputy director of PR, MAHE.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr Harish Kumar S, director of corporate relations at MAHE, who expressed gratitude towards all participants and organizers for making the event a success.
"The enthusiasm and engagement from both the Philips engineers and our staff have set a new benchmark for future competency development programs. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with industry leaders like Philips to further enhance healthcare through technology," he said.