Orientation for 1st MBBS batch of PIMC gets underway at USTM

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 11, 2024

The PA Sangma International Medical College (PIMC) inaugurated its first MBBS batch with a 14-day orientation programme at the Central Auditorium of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), marking a significant milestone in the region’s medical education.

This event was attended by prominent figures such as Padma Shri Prof. Dr. Seyed Ehtesham Hasnain, who is the National Science Chair at IIT New Delhi and former Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard and the University of Hyderabad. He was joined by USTM Chancellor Shri Mahbubul Hoque, USTM Vice Chancellor Prof. GD Sharma, PIMC Principal Dr. BK Das, Director of Medical Education Dr. Jogesh Sharma, and Dr. (Prof) Bhabani Prasad Chakravarty, Medical Director of Health City Hospitals.

In his address, Prof. Dr. Hasnain praised Chancellor Hoque’s dedication to educational excellence, noting the potential for PIMC to grow into a leading institution within a few years. He highlighted the future of medical science, discussing advancements in predictive medicine, HIV and cancer care, and the role of beneficial bacteria in health.

The orientation saw enthusiastic participation from faculty, department heads, new MBBS students, and their families, setting a positive tone for the beginning of their medical careers.

The orientation programme opened with a grand Academic Procession from the PIMC Academic Block to the Central Auditorium, where students in white coats took their first steps toward their medical careers. The programme, marking a milestone in the region’s medical education, included inspiring speeches, an oath-taking ceremony, and emphasized values of compassion, dedication, and innovation.

Prof. Dr. Seyed Ehtesham Hasnain spoke about Artificial Intelligence’s transformative role in medicine, stressing that technology can never replace the essential human qualities of empathy and compassion in healthcare. Encouraging students to embrace hard work, he assured, “The hard work will not go unrewarded.”

Chancellor Mahbubul Hoque, in his welcome address, shared his vision for PIMC as a unique institution grounded in research and innovation, building on USTM’s legacy. Dr. BK Das, Principal of PIMC, motivated students to stay proactive and approach authorities for support, while Dr. (Prof) Bhabani Prasad Chakravarty emphasized empathy in patient care, advising future doctors to always examine before diagnosing.

USTM Vice Chancellor Prof. GD Sharma encouraged students to pursue their dreams relentlessly, and Dr. Jogesh Sharma, in his closing remarks, oriented students on the journey ahead, emphasizing dedication in their path to specialization.

The day concluded with a White Coat Ceremony at 10:30 am, symbolizing the students’ formal induction into the medical profession and their commitment to a path of compassion and dedication.