Mohali, September 5, 2024
Dr. BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences, Mohali, proudly celebrated Teacher’s Day with a series of events recognizing the outstanding contributions of its faculty in shaping the future of medical education. This year’s celebration was especially significant as the institute marks the completion of its third year of existence, with a continued commitment to academic excellence and innovation.
The day began with an Inaugural Session, where Dr. Bhavneet Bharti delivered the Welcome Address, setting the tone for a day dedicated to celebrating the vital role of educators in the medical field.
The institute honored its exceptional teachers in Phase 1 and Phase 2 subjects, acknowledging their dedication and impact on student success. Dr Maneesha Sharma, Dr Suchet Trigotra, Dr Vaneet Kaur , Dr Ashwani, Dr Ritu Garg, Dr Rashi Garg received best teacher awards in their respective departments. The Department of Biochemistry under the leadership of Dr Shalini bagged the best department award in view of consistent exceptional performance of all the teachers in the department . These awards were based on a comprehensive end of term feedback system from the students, which the college encourages. The feedback was collected through a structured proforma, evaluating six key domains: time sense, subject command, use of teaching methods and aids, helping attitude, and lab/ dissection hall interactions. These aspects were rated on a Likert scale, where 5 indicates excellence and 1 indicates below-average performance. Additionally, a sandwich method of evaluation was also undertaken randomly to ensure a holistic assessment.
A key highlight of the event was the release of a module on “Test Anxiety for Peer-Led Interventions,” part of Dr. Bhavneet Bharti’s FAIMER educational project. The module was officially released by the Chief Guest Dr. Dinesh Badya, Dr. Rupinder Kaur, Joint Director of Research and Medical Education (DRME), Dr Poonam Loomba, Dr Navjeevan Singh and Dr Upreet . The release emphasized the importance of addressing test anxiety and highlighted the role of peer-led interventions in its management.
In a noteworthy development, senior students undertook teaching roles for their junior batches highlighting the institute’s commitment to fostering the next generation of educators.
The celebration included a Faculty Development Program and a series of sessions focused on Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME), underlining the institute’s dedication to staying at the forefront of educational advancements. The sessions were as follows:
Tailoring Medical Education: Putting Students at the Core of Competency Development by Dr. Dinesh Badyal, Professor and Head of Pharmacology, CMC Ludhiana. Dr. Badyal emphasized the importance of centering education around student competencies to produce well-rounded medical professionals.
Academic Leadership in Medical Education by Dr. Poonam Loomba, Professor and Head of Microbiology, MAMC, Delhi, addressing the current leadership crisis in medical education and the need for strong academic leaders.
Panel Discussion: My Teaching Philosophy, featuring prominent educators such as Dr. Dr Peush Sahni, Editor in Chief, National Medical Journal of India, Dr Poonam Loomba, Director Professor Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College, Convener, NMC
Nodal Center, Dr. Atul Sachdev,Former Principal, GMCH, Chandigarh
and Dr. Navjeevan Singh, who shared their insights and approaches to effective teaching in the medical field.
Scientific Publication: An Essential Art for Medical Teachers?led by Dr. Peush Sahni, Editor in Chief of NMJI, discussed the challenges and importance of scientific publication in medical academia.
The Role and Importance of Mentoring by Dr. Sukhinder Baidwan, Professor of Anatomy at Gian Sagar Medical College, emphasized mentoring as a critical component in medical education which is mandated by NMC .
Humanities in Medicine: Making Medical Education More Humane by Dr. Upreet Dhaliwal, Former Professor and Head of Ophthalmology, UCMS, Delhi, highlighted the integration of arts and humanities into medical education to enhance empathy and patient care.
The event concluded with a CBME Quiz, which was both engaging and educational, testing participants on various aspects of Competency-Based Medical Education.
The celebration was a resounding success, reflecting Dr. BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences’ ongoing commitment to excellence in medical education. The day not only honored the teachers but also reinforced the importance of continuous feedback, faculty development, and the adoption of innovative teaching methods to prepare students for the ever-evolving challenges of the medical profession.