In a historic move, XLRI, Business School, and Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER), Chennai, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement aims to collaboratively develop and offer academic and professional programs to meet the escalating demand for skilled healthcare management professionals.
The signing ceremony took place at the SRIHER campus, marking a significant moment in the realms of education and healthcare. Dr. Fr. K.S. Casimir, SJ, Director of XLRI Delhi-NCR Campus, and Dr. Uma Sekar, Vice-Chancellor of SRIHER, were the signatories, symbolizing a commitment to advancing education and research in healthcare management.
Both XLRI and SRIHER boast a rich heritage of providing high-quality, relevant, and cutting-edge educational programs. Established in 1949, XLRI is celebrating its platinum jubilee, having pioneered various educational and management development programs, including online offerings since 2002. On the other hand, SRIHER, founded in 1985 as a medical college, achieved deemed university status in 1994 and has been a stalwart in offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses in medicine and healthcare sciences.
The collaboration between these esteemed institutions goes beyond academic programs. They also plan to actively collaborate on research projects addressing the evolving challenges faced by the healthcare sector, emphasizing a holistic approach to healthcare education.
The MoU signing ceremony was a private affair attended by key dignitaries from both institutions. Notable figures present included Dr. Mahesh Vakamudi, Pro Vice-chancellor of SRIHER; Dr. Roopa Nagarajan, Registrar of SRIHER; J. Ravi Sankar, Director of Finance at SRIHER; Dr. T.A. Srinivasan, GM-Legal Services at SRIHER; Dr. R. Sivakumar, Academic Officer at SRIHER; Dr. Selvam Jesiah, Principal of Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Management Sciences; Dr. Paramjyot Singh and Dr. Santosh Sangem, faculty members from XLRI.
Fr. K.S. Casimir, speaking on the occasion, expressed enthusiasm about contributing to grooming healthcare managers who can address the nation's imperative of providing high-quality, accessible, equitable, and affordable healthcare services. Dr. Uma Sekar echoed this sentiment, stating that the collaboration is a breakthrough in healthcare education and training that will undoubtedly benefit healthcare professionals across the country.
Dr. Mahesh Vakamudi emphasized the bilateral understanding between SRIHER and XLRI as a leap forward in bringing a formidable change in the landscape of healthcare executive education. Fr. George Sebastian, Director of XLRI Jamshedpur, who couldn't be present, conveyed his wishes for the success of the collaborative efforts and expressed delight in the initiative taken during XLRI's platinum jubilee year.
The collaboration aims to launch the first set of programs in April 2024, marking the beginning of a new era in healthcare education and management. The institutions believe that this partnership will open new possibilities for them to work towards the common greater good of the nation.
