Dr. Cherian Varghese, Director, Prasanna School of Public Health, MAHE, Manipal, delivered a session on Research Priorities for the Prevention and Control of NCDs. He highlighted the need for prevention and control of NCDs and emphasized the importance of care pathways in primary health care. Dr Cherian also added that there is a growing need to incorporate evidence-based protocols to improve the outcomes of the patients affected by NCDs. The session on “Innovation and Opportunities in Health Care” was deliberated by Dr Rachana Bhat, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, MAHE, Manipal. Dr Rachana oriented on how to embark on a journey to innovative research using an interdisciplinary approach and to utilize useful resources during the process. The last session of the day was by Dr Rajeshkrishna Bhandary P, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Kasturba Medical College, MAHE, Manipal, on “Recent Updates in Ethics Approval for Research.”. He emphasized the importance of integrity in carrying out the research and following strict guidelines of publication ethics. He added about the ethical concerns related to the incorporation of AI in research and oriented the participants to the recent updates on the ethical declaration passed during the 75th WMA General Assembly, Helsinki, Finland, in October 2024.

In the afternoon, innovative ideas presentations were held for the students. One forty-six participants attended the day’s events, and 17 groups presented their innovative ideas in the form of posters, models, and PowerPoints. These presentations were evaluated by Dr Abhimanyu Pradhan, Associate Professor, Department of Medical Imaging Technology, Manipal College of Health Professions, MAHE, Manipal, and Dr Akshay P, Senior Resident in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kasturba Hospital, MAHE, Manipal. The first best innovative idea award was presented to Mr. Anirudh Aggarwal and his group from T. A. Pai Management Institute, and Mr Vyasraj G Bhat and his group from Manipal School of Life Science received the second-best innovative idea award.

The program was concluded by Dr Judith A. Noronha, Dean, Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE, Manipal, with closing remarks and prize distribution. A vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Binil V, Additional Professor and Convener, and the program was compered by Ms Prathibha Lydia Braggs, Lecturer, Psychiatric (Mental Health) Nursing.

This program contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.