ADDRESS AT THE PRINCIPALS' CONCLAVE AT SENATE HALL, KERALA UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, THRISSUR– AT 1030 HR ON 29.10.2018.

Smt. K.K. Shylaja, Pro chancellor, Kerala University of Health Sciences,

Shri P.K. Biju MP,

Shri Anil Akkara MLA,

Prof. M.K.C. Nair, Vice Chancellor,

Prof. A. Nalinakshan, Pro-Vice Chancellor,

Dr. M.K. Mangalam, Registrar,

Dear Principals, Teachers,

Friends in Media,

Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,

Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram.

I am happy to address you all in this conclave of the Principals of the affiliated institutions under the Kerala University of Health Sciences.

To begin with, let me appreciate the decision of the university to   conduct this conclave as part of its endeavorto bring quality in Academics, Research and in all University activities.

As we all know, this University was established in 2009 to streamline the medical education in the State by ensuring  systematic instruction, training and research in Modern Medicine, Homeopathy and Indian Systems of Medicine.  As an affiliating university, it has under it 305 Institutions including some of the oldest and best medical colleges in the State and even in the country.   I recall having come here last year to address the newly constituted Senate. 

I am aware that nine years is too short a period for a university to develop and stand on its feet in terms of   research and other academic accomplishments. However, in the case of this university, such activities are being carried out well in some of its colleges. It means, the performance and status of this university in medical research and training will depend on the activities of the colleges. In short, this Conclave is held with the full realization that the destiny of this university is being shaped in the classrooms of the affiliated colleges.

I understand that this Conclave will also be the starting point for various   future oriented initiatives of the university, like the institution of Research cells, Students Cells, Academic Monitoring Cell and the Academic Credit System. I am happy that there is also a plan to institute an annual award for the Best Teacher, based on academic achievements, research initiatives, teaching excellence, community activities, leadership qualities, community activities, national and international recognitions, student friendly initiatives etc.  The decision to have seven awards, one each for Medicine, Dental, Ayurveda, Homoeo, Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Sciences  will go a long way in improving performance in all these areas. The aid under the studentship programme is also laudable.

The true relevance of a Health university lies in its ability to respond to the health issues that affect society.  Though Kerala has achieved the best human development index in the country, we need to do a lot in sustaining our position as a leader in health care.  We are also facing the havocs caused by Climatic changes which reduce the availability of fresh water, cause regional drops in food production and bring negative health impacts. We also see the re-emergence of diseases which we thought, were eradicated. 

Added to the problems I mentioned just now, we have the threat of non-communicable diseases which account for over 50% of the total deaths occurring in the 30 to 60 age group. What is important now is to look into how much this university can contribute towards containing such situations. It is satisfying to note that one of the reports have released pertains to the activities carried out by the university and its colleges during the recent floods which  snatched away much of the progress Kerala had achieved through decades.

The psychological trauma caused by the floods still continues and so Kerala would look forward to your follow up. Another threat that we had heard of recently was that of Leptospirosis or Rat Fever as people call it. I understand that, with the intervention of the experts from Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Biotechnology and others, the situation has been effectively managed.

I am also happy to know that the University and various colleges had taken a lead role in the work related to the handling of the Nipah outbreak. The service of the staff of the Government Medical College Kozhikode deserves our wholehearted appreciation, a portion of which should certainly go to the Principal Dr. V.R. Rajendran for the leadership he provided.

 The Schools and Centers under the University must engender knowledge management for translation of policy to action. The University has to understand and respond to various situations and help the Government with ideas that help to face disasters in future also. I also hope that the University will contribute to the formation of the Health Information System that the Government intends to set up as part of the new Health Policy.

During the last four years, I have been requesting all universities in Kerala to strengthen their publications by starting research journals of high quality and impact factor. The Chancellor's Award we had instituted had helped a lot to improve the quality of our universities. Yet, the dream of having research journals of international quality has not been fully realized. However, I am happy that the first issue of a journal produced by the Kerala University of Health Sciences has been released. I appreciate that it tries to present the research outcomes in a simple language which the common people would understand. I also appreciate the compilation of the post graduate theses. At the same time, I would remind you that a university also has the obligation to register its presence through globally acclaimed research journals of high impact factor.

I would also remind all Principals to ensure that your colleges move into society with the message of a healthy living, in tune with the stream of medicine that you teach. The relevance of a medical college cannot be limited to the treatment facilities it offers to the sick; instead, it has to extend to the propagation of a healthy living style that prevents diseases. If you could promote the habit of physical exercise in the community around you, it would be really great. If you could sensitize every family in your locality about caring for the elderly, especially those with issues like Dementia, you would be doing a great social service.

To conclude, I would remind you that it will be worthwhile to see a social issue behind every health problem that you come across. Imparting knowledge to students is certainly great, but engaging the society with knowledge and solutions is a greater service.

I once again greet all the Principals and university officials who have assembled here and hope that your deliberations will bring in qualitative changes in our medical education.

I compliment the organizers for conducting this function in a befitting manner.

Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal

Nanni

Jai Hind
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