Date:31/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/31/stories/2008073161470900.htm

Tamil Nadu

MCI derecognition baffles university

Staff Correspondent

Manipal: Manipal University on Wednesday expressed surprise over the Medical Council of India’s statement derecognising MBBS courses offered at the Kasturba Medical College in Manipal and Mangalore.

In a press release issued here, Pro-Chancellor of the university H.S. Ballal said: “We are surprised by the purported statement from the MCI when the matter is under consideration from higher authorities. Kasturba Medical College (KMC) fulfils all the inspection criteria according to the norms specified by the MCI — be it faculty quality, staff strength, teaching infrastructure, hospital infrastructure, hospital utilisation; student education and care facilities.”

He said KMC was among the top medical institutes in India, providing world-class education and care facilities to students. It had been consistently featured among the top medical colleges in India.

“We pride ourselves about the world-class medical education facilities; faculty and the alumni. The quality of our education is fittingly reflected in our alumni — eminent physicians and surgeons in India as well as the world over. We have continuously enhanced the investments in our infrastructure and academic delivery, and committed to continue to do so,” Prof. Ballal said.

He said the KMC had a stellar international standing: over 5,000 alumni of KMC were members of AAPI (American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin).

Over 20 per cent of all doctors in Malaysia were KMC alumni. “Our international medical programmes are conducted with proper authorisation from the University Grants Commission and similar government authorised regulatory bodies.”

“The KMC is the only medical college in India that is also recognised by the New York State Education Board. All of the above underline our credibility and standing amongst the medical fraternity — in India and the world over.”