The British Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai, Bharat Joshi, has expressed his commitment to making the links between Indian and U.K. institutions stronger and to generate partnerships between the U.K. institutions and the Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, in the area of scientific research.
Delivering the convocation address at the Graduation of the College of Nursing of the CMC here on Tuesday, Mr. Joshi said that the U.K.’s links with the CMC are long-standing and wide.
The CMC produces a large number of UK-India joint publications through its links with the University College of London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
“There are important UK-India partnerships with the University of London, Royal Veterinary College providing online courses that will benefit veterinarians in both countries: an online distance learning programme in family medicine with the University of Edinburgh; an initiative to develop partnerships in nursing between the WHO Collaborating Centre and the University of Nottingham, UK. I am committed to making these links stronger, wider and deeper,” he said.
The Deputy High Commissioner exhorted the nursing graduates to stay in touch with the developments in their field and to continue the tradition of research.
He advised them to create networks with their classmates and others whom they have met during their academic pursuit.
“Investing in those relationships will make your lives richer but can also lead to unexpected and fruitful collaboration that adds real value in totally unexpected ways,” he said.
Special awards Mr. Joshi gave away the Special Awards to the meritorious candidates.
They included the Alice Gnanamuthu Memorial Gold Medal for The Best All round Student in B.Sc. Nursing Programme to Marina Ancy Antony, and the Gold Medal by College of Nursing and Sja. Madhabi Chakravarty Memorial Prize for the Best Outgoing Student in Diploma Nursing Programme to Binju Chackochan.
Sunil Chandy, Director, CMC Hospital, welcomed the gathering. Joy Sarojini Michael, Vice-Principal (PG), CMC, distributed the special prizes and proficiency prizes.
Rosaline Jayakaran, Dean, College of Nursing, gave the charge to the graduates and presented the awards.