Latest news with #BhaskaranUnnikrishnan
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Campuses in Coastal K'taka embrace LGBTQ+ students
Representative Image MANGALURU: Academic institutions along the coast of Karnataka have made significant strides toward LGBTQ+ inclusion. These institutions are increasingly opening their doors to create more inclusive academic spaces, a development welcomed by many. Some institutions have established dedicated LGBTQ+ associations, while others actively support the community through various events and awareness programmes. This progressive shift across the education system marks an important movement in fostering diversity and acceptance within academia. "Our campuses have been supportive of LGBTQ, including the student council. Currently, numbers from the community are low at Mangaluru campus, and we are ready to help them form a group," said Dr Bhaskaran Unnikrishnan, dean of Kasturba Medical College, Mangaluru. Sandra Sunitha Lobo, professor in Psychology department, School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, said their campus has been LGBTQ inclusive for a very long time. "Students have been given the opportunity to express their identity and support those coming out. However, we ask them to be mindful of their classmates who are sensitive about it, or are unaware of their identity," she said, adding that they hold special events as part of the Pride Month, observed in June. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo A postgraduate medical student who is from the LGBTQ community, and is studying at a college near Derlakatte shared that over the years, the narrative and how individuals look at us has changed. "There is more awareness, and people have stopped being judgemental about the queer community. Compared to the older generation, the younger generation is more accepting as they are better informed through social media and through their peers," said the student who was studying in Mangaluru for the past seven years. Campuses are not just being inclusive towards the community, they are even supporting research in the areas pertaining to the community. Dr B Reshmi, associate dean and professor of health information management, Manipal College of Health Professions, said that currently, two funded research projects are being undertaken. These projects aim to address the healthcare facilities and the needs of the community, and also determine the approach healthcare workers should take towards the community members in a medical setting.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
KMC celebrates platinum jubilee and upgrades healthcare facilities
Mangaluru: Kasturba Medical College (KMC) Mangaluru will organise the College Day and awards ceremony on Friday. Dr Bhaskaran Unnikrishnan, dean of the college, addressing the reporters on Wednesday, said that this year marks a historic milestone as KMC Mangaluru celebrates its Platinum Jubilee, marking over 70 years of educational and healthcare excellence since its inception in 1955. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Dr P Raghu Ram, Padma Shri and Dr BC Roy Award recipient, an officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, and a distinguished alumnus of KMC Mangaluru, will be the chief guest. The special postal cover will be unveiled by Dr H S Ballal, pro-chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, who will preside over the event. It also commemorates the 70th anniversary of India's first public-private partnership model for delivering quality healthcare and medical education—an initiative pioneered by the late Dr TMA Pai, founder of the Manipal group—that played a vital role in shaping the country's healthcare system. Since its founding, KMC Mangaluru was closely linked with Wenlock District Hospital and govt Lady Goschen Hospital, offering high-quality healthcare services to patients across several districts of Karnataka and neighbouring districts of Kerala. As part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the medical college upgraded healthcare facilities at Wenlock hospital, including the installation of a new cath lab, the launch of a day care chemotherapy centre which will provide free treatment for cancer patients, and the addition of all superspecialty services alongside existing clinical and laboratory services. The new cath lab is dedicated to providing high-quality cardiac services to the community, ensuring advanced treatment and care for patients with cardiac conditions. KMC Mangaluru also contributed state-of-the-art operating theatre equipment to the new surgical block at Wenlock hospital, enhancing the facility's capacity for advanced surgical procedures and patient care.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
NEET-UG: Memes go viral over tough test
Mangaluru: With the end of NEET-UG exams, social media platforms are flooded with memes and witty commentary on how tough the examination were, and experts widely characterised it as the most challenging examination to suggested that the NTA, which conducts the test, deliberately increased the difficulty level in response to the previous year's issues. Numerous candidates drew parallels between the Physics component and the JEE advanced suggest that the papers were so tough that even NEET coaches could not solve it. "I took half of the time only to solve Physics questions; even Biology and Chemistry questions were tough too," said a candidate on social media. The Young Indian Statesman on X posted: "@TheStatesman Why are we designing systems where one tough paper can break years of discipline? What do you think needs to change — the exam, the system, or our mindset?"Another candidate told, "Probably I will have to drop a year and prepare for the next NEET-UG." Assistant director at Aakash Institute Sham Prasad supported the candidates and said this year's test was exceptionally challenging, lengthy, and time-consuming. "It was the most difficult paper in the last 12 years, with Physics being the toughest subject. Possibly even tougher than JEE. Many questions were from unexplored parts of NCERT. The highest score this year may be around 650. As everyone felt the paper was tough, the relative competition remains same. This year's cut-off score may reach 400+ like in 2019."Medical college heads expressed satisfaction with the format of the entrance test. Dr Bhaskaran Unnikrishnan, dean of KMC, Mangaluru, noted that the assessment was more analytical and effective to evaluate candidates.
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Research gets priority in undergraduate medical colleges
Mangaluru: The undergraduate medical colleges , previously solely focused on clinical practices and academics, are gradually shifting their interest towards research. To nurture this interest in research from a young age, these colleges have established dedicated research centres, provided funding for research activities, and encourage students to participate in international and national conferences to present their research papers. For instance, Kasturba Medical College in Mangaluru actively encourages research among undergraduate students. The college published over 400 research papers, some of which are of high quality. Dr Bhaskaran Unnikrishnan, dean of the college, emphasised the importance of getting students involved in research, and provides guidance from senior faculty. Dr Santosh Rai PV, professor and HoD of radiodiagnosis and imaging at the college, highlighted the significance of encouraging and mentoring students during the initial years of medical education. "This early foundation can help students who aspire to pursue academia and become researchers." In addition to funding, these colleges have dedicated research centres. Dr Antony Sylvan D'Souza, dean of Father Muller Medical College , shared that they have a dedicated research centre for undergraduate or MBBS students with a team of 25 members. The centre receives grants from RGUHS and the college itself to fund research projects, with funding up to Rs 1 lakh. He explained that research is conducted in various areas, including clinical, animal, human, and molecular studies. "Currently, approximately 25% of MBBS students are actively involved in research activities," he said. Yenepoya Medical College encourages its students to apply for Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) projects. Students who don't secure funding receive support from the university. Dr M Vijayakumar, vice-chancellor of Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), emphasised that all MBBS students interested in research are encouraged to apply for ICMR projects. He added that students are encouraged to present their research at national and international conferences. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Looking to save money in 2025? Solar Panel Funding Click Here Undo Research benefits both institutions and students. MS Moodithaya, vice-chancellor of Nitte (Deemed to be University), highlighted that research has become a necessity for institutions. He pointed out the importance of early involvement in research, especially for students who later pursue medical education abroad. Moodithaya noted that students in larger medical education institutions have access to experts from various fields, which provides them with additional support. He contrasted this with the situation in smaller medical colleges.
