I attended a landmark celebration at MAHE (Manipal Academy of Higher Education) marking ten years of the MAHE–FAIMER International Institute for Leadership in Interprofessional Education. The program honored pioneers of medical education, showcased global impact, and outlined the next decade. My wife, Dr. Shreemathi S. Mayya, was felicitated for her service in the Department of Medical Education along with other stalwarts—an unforgettable moment for our family.
A personal thread in Manipal’s story
Though I am an outsider by designation, my association with the
Department of Medical Education at MAHE has been a memorable journey. It began
when I invited Mr. Sunny Tharappan to conduct a workshop—initially for
the department’s faculty. Among the participants was Dr. Ramnarayan, who
trained under Mr. Tharappan and later developed his own distinctive training
system, becoming a widely sought-after expert in education.
I also recall with deep gratitude the guidance of the late Dr. A.
Krishna Rao. He encouraged me to source educational materials whenever the
library fell short and inspired me to initiate a new education-focused unit at MGM.
With his vision—and his generous contribution of ₹7 lakhs—the Teaching,
Learning and Assessment Center was established and inaugurated on 5
October 2017. The ceremony was graced by Dr. A. Krishna Rao himself (then
Head of Medical Education, Manipal), featured a keynote by Dr. Ramnarayan,
and was presided over by Dr. H. Shantaram, with distinguished members of
the academic community in attendance.
This journey has affirmed for me that true progress in education is
built on collaboration, vision, and mentorship. I remain deeply
thankful.
A personal note
I had the privilege of attending this recent MAHE–FAIMER program
alongside my wife, Dr. Shreemathi S. Mayya. Seeing her recognized on
stage for years of dedicated work in medical education was the proudest moment
of the day. Beyond the applause, it felt like a salute to thousands of quiet
hours spent mentoring, designing curricula, and improving how future clinicians
learn.
Setting the stage
The afternoon opened with a warm welcome on behalf of the International
Institute for Leadership in Interprofessional Education. The theme—“From
Manipal to the World: Honouring a Legacy of Medical Education and Global
Impact”—captured both history and ambition.
Dignitaries present included:
- Lt. Gen.
(Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh,
Vice-Chancellor, MAHE (Chief Guest)
- Dr. Sharath
K. Rao, Pro
Vice-Chancellor, MAHE
- Dr. Liuba
Konopasek, Senior Vice
President, FAIMER (Executive Director)
- Dr. Rashmi
Vyas, Vice President,
FAIMER (Senior Director)
- Senior
leadership and faculty from KMC Manipal and across MAHE
The welcome: values that travel
In his welcome, Dr. Sharath K. Rao framed the institute not just
as a curriculum but as a movement—one that shapes “changemakers,
collaborators, and architects of healthier societies.” He emphasized lifelong
learning, teamwork across disciplines, empathy, and integrity as the engine of
MAHE’s global standing.
Manipal’s arc: vision to impact
Speaking on “From Manipal to the World: Shaping the Future of Medical
Education,” leadership traced Manipal’s journey from meeting India’s need
for more medical seats to pioneering faculty development (since 1985),
problem-based learning (from 2006), curriculum integration, authentic
assessment (OSCE/OSPE), and mentoring systems.
Key takeaways:
- Early
internationalization via twinning programs (e.g., the
Malaysia–Manipal collaboration)
- Research-informed
innovation: problem-based learning improved recall, teamwork, and
graduation outcomes
- Institutional
maturity: formalizing the Department of Medical Education,
strengthening quality assurance, and developing tools like SMiCE
for curriculum evaluation
Global voices, shared purpose
Dr. Liuba Konopasek
highlighted FAIMER’s bi-directional approach to globalization—learning with,
not just from, partner institutions. She outlined pillars spanning support
for international medical graduates, global resources (e.g., the World
Directory of Medical Schools), research, and continuous quality improvement,
with a strong push toward work-based assessment and short, practical
courses for frontline educators.
Dr. Rashmi Vyas traced
the origin story of the MAHE–FAIMER Regional Institute (2014/2015 launch)
and its ripple effects:
- 2,000+
FAIMER fellows across 59 countries; ~41% from India
- MAHE–FAIMER alone has trained 130+ fellows from
seven countries and broadened interprofessional participation beyond
traditional health disciplines
- Alumni projects
now institutionalized—from simulation centers and resuscitation
training to communication-skills curricula
Felicitations: honoring the builders
A poignant segment celebrated founding and senior members of
medical education at Manipal—the people who turned early experiments into
enduring systems. This is where Dr. Shreemathi S. Mayya received her
felicitation, an acknowledgment of steadfast leadership and service. The
applause felt like a thank-you to every faculty member who quietly keeps
standards high. They felicitated other stalwarts pioneering Medical Education
Department.
Why this matters now
Three threads stood out to me:
1. Interprofessional education isn’t a trend—it’s essential. Health outcomes
improve when teams learn and work together.
2. Localization of global best practices is MAHE’s secret sauce. Adapting international
models to Indian realities has created durable, scalable programs.
3. Evidence and humility drive the next decade—measuring what works,
staying curious, and building communities of practice.
Looking ahead: the next 10 years
Expect to see:
- Short,
targeted educator courses
co-created with local teams
- Wider work-based
assessments (e.g., multi-source feedback) embedded in clinical
settings
- Stronger AI
integration across education and evaluation
- Deeper networks
that connect fellows, mentors, and institutions across regions
Final reflections
Manipal’s story reminds us that legacy lives in people, not buildings. From the pioneers of the 1980s to today’s fellows, each cohort has carried the torch a little farther. Watching my wife’s contribution recognized among these builders made the celebration personal—and a reminder that progress is a team sport.
