Sankara Nethralaya

Education & Training

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Education and Training

" I wish I were 30 years younger so that I can study and learn here" Dr. Sunil K. Pandya, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai.

The Ophthalmology Post-graduate educational programs at C.U. Shah Ophthalmic Post-Graduate Training Center, Sankara Nethralaya, Medical Research Foundation is recognized by Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University and offers a two year Diploma course in Ophthalmology. Likewise the National board of examinations New Delhi has recognized the institution for a 3-year graduate training program in Ophthalmology known as a Diplomate of National Board of Examinations. Until recently, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh had recognized the institution, for training leading to FRCS (E) and was the only institution offering the examination facilities for candidates from India and South East Asia as long as the FRCS examinations were conducted. Now the training for MRCS and MRCS examinations are in vogue at our insitution. We are also recognized for the PhD in Ophthalmology program of the local university.

To provide excellent academic teaching and training in optometry the Elite School of Optometry was founded in the year 1985 and a few years later the Rural Eye Hospital was set up in St Thomas Mount, Chennai. The curriculum spanning 4 years is modeled after the Bachelors in Optometry program offered by university of California Berkley, California USA. In the past 21 years the School has offered BS Optometry degree of The BIRLA INSTITUTE of Technology and Science, Pilani, Rajasthan for 280 students. Fourteen have completed M.Phil in Optometry. A large number of students have gone abroad after passing out from Elite School, to pursue PhD and other graudate programs in England, USA and Australia. The Elite School is considered to be a pioneer role model for optometric education in India.

The Master's degree in Laboratory Technology MS (MLT) and the Ophthalmic Assistant Program BSOA also recognized by BITS Pilani are offered at the main campus. Forty-four and another five students have completed MSMLT (a graduate program) and PhD, both courses offered under BITS Pilani. The recently started Ophthalmic Assistant program has one batch of 6 graduates of in the year 2004-05.

The Medical and Vision Research Foundations have been recognized by National and International agencies for providing educational and training programs. They are namely Sir Ratan Tata Foundation, Mumbai; Orbis International, US; Carl Zeiss, Germany and Bausch & Lomb of USA.

The Lions International Foundation has given two major grants and supports the community services. Like wise the Tulsi Trust has donated and also supports the rural outreach program. Like wise the Sir Ratan Tata Foundation and Sir Dorabji Tata Trust have given generous grants for community service, teaching and training.

Sankara Nethralaya was one of the institutions chosen by the Government of India for the "Trainers Training Programme" foralleviation of cataract blindness in the country. The teaching and training offered attracted the Chinese university of Hong Kong to invite our consultants as visiting scholars a program running into its 10th year.

Teaching and training of Research Scientists in large numbers is very important for the country. True to the founding principles of the organization, education is one of the pillars of Sankara Nethralaya. In keeping with the times, Sankara Nethralaya has established a free E-Learning portal for Ophthalmologists and others involved in eye care, www.ekalavya.org. This website links the eye care professionals of the world to share their best practices besides having the teaching modules of Sankara Nethralaya. Today 1860 ophthalmologists from around the world have registered to use this facility.

Besides the E-Learning portal, Sankara Nethralaya is actively involved in Teaching and learning through Videoconferencing. 15 hospitals within India besides the Oman University, Oman, are linked to Sankara Nethralaya through videoconferencing facility. Knowledge of Ophthalmology is shared through this facility.

The new building will have a space earmarked to service the growing needs of the department through making available world class audio and video recordings of the educational proceedings, research findings, online interactive classes and teaching.