Prasanna School of Public Health (PSPH), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal organised Samavaya – Alumni Meet and Annual Day 2025 on Saturday, February 22, 2025 (09:30 to 19:30 hours IST) in the MAHE, Manipal Campus.

The morning session (09:30 to 12:30 hours IST) was held in the Interact Lecture Hall 4A, MAHE, Manipal.

Lt Gen Dr M D Venkatesh (Vice Chancellor, MAHE, Manipal) was the Chief Guest.

Dr Saraswathy Sreeram (Associate Director, Alumni relations, MAHE, Manipal) was the Guest of Honour.

The Director, Associate Director, HoDs, Programme Coordinators, Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni of PSPH, MAHE, Manipal were present.

Dr Navya Vyas (Alumni Coordinator, PSPH, MAHE, Manipal) was the Master of Ceremony for the event.

PSPH students sang a prayer song (invocation). This was followed by a floral tribute to the founder and the lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries.

Dr Asha Kamath (Associate Director, PSPH, MAHE, Manipal) spoke regarding the importance of celebrating alumni meet and annual day events.

Dr Cherian Varghese (Director, PSPH, MAHE, Manipal) addressed the audience and spoke regarding the achievements of PSPH, how PSPH has developed over the years and the future plans for PSPH.

Dr Ashmitha Prasad (Researcher, PSPH, MAHE, Manipal) introduced the Guest of Honour during the occasion.

The Guest of Honour Dr Saraswathy Sreeram spoke regarding the annual day occasion and the importance of alumni network for the school, students and faculty.

The PSPH alumni who were present during the occasion narrated their reflections.

Dr Teddy Andrews (HoD, Department of Social and Health Innovation [DoSHI], PSPH, MAHE, Manipal) introduced the Chief Guest during the occasion.

The Chief Guest Lt Gen Dr M D Venkatesh spoke regarding MAHE University and how the School of Public Health in Manipal has developed and evolved over the years.

The PSPH Programme Brochures and PSPH School Prospectus were unveiled.

The Awards Ceremony consisted of PSPH students receiving prizes for various events like academics, sports and games and cultural.

Dr Swathi K S (Student Affairs Coordinator, PSPH, MAHE, Manipal) announced the names of the prize winners.

The dignitaries on the dais distributed the prizes to the prize winners.

Videos were played regarding the PSPH annual report, alumni experiences and student experiences.

Dr Arathi Rao (HoD, Department of Global Public Health Policy and Governance [GPHPG], PSPH, MAHE, Manipal) addressed the gathering during the occasion.

A panel discussion was held regarding ‘Career Opportunities in Public Health and Healthcare Industry’. The panel consisted of representatives from the PSPH student council, PSPH alumni and the PSPH Director. Dr Teddy Andrews moderated the panel discussion.

The Panel Discussants were:

Dr Sandeep Mahapatra (MPH alumnus), Associate Manager, Real World Evidence, International Operations, Global Medical Affairs, Novo Nordisk.

Ms Shovistha Nag, MSW alumna (Medical & Psychiatry), Manager- St Judes For Life @St Jude India ChildCare Centres, Mumbai

Dr Deepak Rajendiran (MHA alumnus), Chief Manager, Medical Services, Manipal Health Enterprises Limited, Bengaluru.

Dr Cherian Verghese, Director, PSPH, MAHE, Manipal.

Ms Vaishnavi Deore, Vice President, Student Council, PSPH, MAHE, Manipal.

The PSPH alumni shared their experiences with the audience.

Dr Navya Vyas described regarding Almashines – the MAHE Alumni portal and how PSPH alumni and students can be part of it and how they can benefit from it.

Dr Arathi Rao described regarding APHEA (Agency for Public Health Education Accreditation) and the importance of APHEA accreditation for PSPH.

Dr Asha Albuquerque Pai (Editorial Coordinator, PSPH, MAHE, Manipal) delivered a session regarding ‘PSPH Alumni Involvement in Strategic Planning for PSPH’.

The afternoon session (14:00 to 15:30 hours IST) was held in the Interact Lecture Hall 4A; PSPH Lecture Hall 1; PSPH Lecture Hall 3; MAHE, Manipal.

MPH Alumni Session was held in the Interact Lecture Hall 4A, MAHE, Manipal.

MHA Alumni Session was held in the PSPH Lecture Hall 1, MAHE, Manipal.

MSW Alumni Session was held in the PSPH Lecture Hall 3, MAHE, Manipal.

During these alumni Sessions, the alumni interacted with their faculty and the present students of PSPH. The alumni provided valuable guidance and narrated their experiences to the present students of PSPH.

The evening session (16:30 to 19:30 hours IST) was held in the Amphitheatre, MAHE, Manipal.

PSPH students, staff and faculty performed a variety of cultural programmes which included singing, dancing and musical instruments exhibiting cultures from all over India and all over the world.