Mysore/Mysuru: COVID-19 pandemic has thrown up unseen challenges on the Health Sciences based Higher Education programmes. The challenges came up both in the form of curriculum practice, teaching-learning, and evaluation. The health science-based education such as Medicine/ Dentistry/ Pharmacy/Allied Health Sciences has always been a high comprehension programme with practical and clinical experiential training. 

During the pandemic, the teaching-learning could be supported through online teaching for the delivery of the theory component of the curriculum. The delivery of practicals and clinical training through other modes came up as an effort for which not many institutions were equipped.

In this context, a two-day virtual colloquium was held on “Health Sciences Education: Differentiating Factors during the Pandemic Crisis” on Aug.7 and 8 by the Centre for Continuous Learning for Professional Excellence (CCLPE) of JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER), Mysuru. 

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. C.G. Betsurmath, Executive Secretary, JSS Mahavidyapeetha. Dr. Surinder Singh, Vice-Chancellor, JSS AHER, delivered the opening remarks.

Dr. P.A. Kushalappa, Director (Academics), JSS AHER, briefed on academicians and administrators from India and abroad who were participating as Resource Faculty/ Panellists for the virtual colloquium. They were Dr. S. Sridharan, Dy. Director General (Planning), Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, Dr. Shakti Kumar Gupta, Medical Superintendent, Dr. R.P. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS, New Delhi, Prof. Bhabhatosh Biswas, Chairman, Board of Governors, NIPER, Kolkata, Dr. Avinash Supe, Ex. Director (ME & MH), & Former Dean, KEM and Sion Hospital, Mumbai, Dr. Deelip Mhaisekar, Vice-Chancellor, MUHS, Nashik, Dr. Sanjay Bedi, Adesh University, Nashik, Dr. Nachiket Shankar, Professor and Faculty of Medical Education, St. Johns Medical College, Bengaluru, Dr. Sitanshu S. Kar, Associate Dean (Research), JIPMER, Puducherry, Dr. Vivek Saoji, Vice-Chancellor, KAHER, Belgavi, Dr. B. Suresh, Pro-Chancellor, JSS AHER and President, Pharmacy Council of India, Dr. H. Basavanagowdappa, Dean & Principal, JSS Medical College and Dr. N. Sarala, Director (Academics), SDUAHER, Kolar.

Keynote address was delivered by Dr. Anthony K. Wutoh, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Howard University, USA. A total of 584 participants registered for the virtual colloquium that focused on Challenges for Health Sciences institutions during the pandemic crisis, Pedagogy in health sciences education and its relevance to today’s scenario, Skill and simulation tools in health sciences education, Technological tools in health sciences education, Online assessment and evaluation etc. 

Panel Discussions and Sessions provided valuable inputs. The distinguished speakers deliberated on their experiences and thoughts which will help the health sciences institutions to adopt a robust and flexible education system to deliver during crises.

The virtual colloquium was organised by Dr. Prashant Vishwanath, Convener of CCLPE and the Medical & Dental Education Units of JSS Medical College and JSS Dental College.