SVIMS holds 14th convocation, 548 students awarded degrees, 16 get gold medals

TIRUPATI: The 14th convocation of Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) was held recently at the Mahathi Auditorium in Tirupati, where 548 students received degrees and postgraduate qualifications.

Dr Abhijat Chandrakant Sheth, chairman of the National Medical Commission (NMC), said a convocation marked a major milestone in the lives of graduates entering a profession that demanded responsibility, ethics and compassion. He said SVIMS had emerged as a leading institution in medical services, education and research, serving Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states, according to Deccan Chronicle.

Muddada Ravichandra, Executive Officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, said SVIMS, conceived in 1993 under the vision of Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao and established as a university in 1995, had grown into a major centre for super-specialty healthcare.

Chandrashekhar urged graduates to serve patients, particularly the poor, with dedication.

SVIMS director and vice-chancellor R. V. Kumar said the institution continued to expand with government support. He thanked B. R. Naidu and Ravichandra for sanctioning ₹60 crore for hospital development.

TTD board member N. Sadashiva Rao said cancer screening camps were being conducted through pink buses and new infrastructure, including a cancer care centre and specialty blocks, was under development.

Of the total graduates, 16 students received gold medals for academic excellence, while others were presented merit certificates and cash awards. Faculty, students and staff attended the programme, adds Deccan Chronicle

Earlier, the institute was collecting fees for a five-year period. However, NRI medical students of the 2021-22 batch raised concerns about being charged fees for 5 years, despite the MBBS course lasting 4.5 years.

As a result, they approached the TTD Executive Officer M. Ravichandra, with a plea to follow the NMC guidelines and collect the fee for 4.5 years. They also highlighted that the 4.5-year fee structure was already being followed at Sri Padmavati Medical College for Women.