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Yenepoya (Deemed to be University)

Education is the single most important instrument for social and economic transformation. A well educated population adequately equipped with knowledge and skill is not only essential to support economic growth, but is also a precondition for a better all-rounded growth. While the majority of our country displays good statistics in the area of educating their young ones, in India only 50% of Muslims who complete middle school are likely to complete secondary education, compared to 62% at national level. These statistics portray a scary picture when it comes to education among the minorities. While there are literally several universities and institutions across India who focus on imparting quality education to the general masses, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) since its inception has committed itself towards the upliftment of minorities in general and Muslims in particular.

Founded and started by entrepreneur Mr. Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, he headed Yenepoya as its first Chairman. The trustees along with Mr. Abdulla Kunhi perceived a big educational gap in the area of Health Professional education and so decided to start a Dental college. Within a short span of time, the Yenepoya Dental College was granted permission in 1992; recognized under section 3(A) of the UGC Act, 1956 by the Dental Council of India to educate aspiring students to become dentists. Soon, with one successful milestone after another, the Trust launched the Yenepoya Institute of Nursing Sciences (1994), the Yenepoya Medical College (1999), the Yenepoya Nursing College (2002) and the Yenepoya Physiotherapy College (2003). All these colleges offer Graduate, Postgraduate, Ph.D., and various certification programs. 

Operating under the umbrella of The Islamic Academy of Education, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) was started when the quest towards excellence finally reached its peak. Thereby, recognizing the excellence in imparting quality education over the years by the Yenepoya Institutions, the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Union of India, on the recommendation of the UGC granted recognition to Yenepoya University Trust a Deemed-to-be University status under section 3A of the UGC Act 1956 in 2008. This opened a new chapter in the history of Yenepoya Institutions. 

Towards a Better and Well-Equipped Tomorrow

Located in Nithyananda Nagar, Deralakatte in Mangalore (Coastal Karnataka), all of the infrastructure made available to the students are state-of-the-art. From the fully furnished classrooms and well-maintained science laboratories to residential quarters for staff and separate lodging facilities for boys and girls, the saga of Yenepoya Deemed to be University is yet to unfold and greater achievements are around the corner. “To prove that quality has been the signature of the institutions and more than just lip service, Yenepoya has been accredited by NAAC with “A+” grade and CGPA points of 3.47 during August 2022”, shared – Dr. M. Vijayakumar, the Vice-Chancellor of the University. 

Continuing on his above statement and talking about how the University envisions going forward, Dr. Vijayakumar added – “So far we have  predominantly engaged in imparting Health Science education, and now that we are vested with the autonomy status, we have started taking on the necessary initiatives to implement the concepts envisaged under NEP 2020”. Also, by talking to us about what new endeavors the University is progressing on, Dr. Vijayakumar shared that the University has recently started the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Commerce and Management, Faculty of Sciences and Faculty of Allied and Health Care Professions. 

All the courses offered at Yenepoya are of Multi-Disciplinary/Interdisciplinary nature befitting to the concepts of NEP-2020 making it easier for the University to adopt the policy. Choice Based Credit System with the availability of a wide range of electives further eases out the process of implementing NEP. The University has introduced Jeevan Kaushal, Deeksharambh and Mulya Pravah for improving creativity, innovation, critical thinking, and motivating problems solving abilities, team work, communication skills, social and moral awareness, which are integral components of NEP.

Furthermore, welcoming only experienced and trained individuals as the onboard faculty members of Yenepoya, all the faculty members function as the main foundations of the University. Also, being that complete haven that facilitates everyone on the campus to bloom and shine, there was a center Yenepoya Centre for Faculty Development (YEN-FDC) established which provides a platform for teachers to teach, learn and lead in bringing reforms in education. The Centre encourages the development of knowledge and skills among teachers for performing the role of a competent teacher, mentor & researcher. The Centre conducts faculty induction programs (Guru-Dakshta), faculty development programs with respect to curricular reforms, emerging pedagogical methods, online and distance learning (ODL), assessment, research, leadership, and so on.

Redefining Infrastructural Brilliance

The University has 10 constituent units/University departments and centers under its ambit, located in total land area of 94.52 acres. The total built up area is about 1,44,453.11 sq.mts. The facilities for teaching learning and skill acquisition are provided as per the stipulations of the respective regulatory bodies. Units/departments and centers are endorsed with well designed buildings and physical infrastructure facilities that include ICT enabled lecture halls, seminar/demonstration rooms, facilities for clinical training, learning in community and well equipped laboratories. AYUSH related teaching-learning cum therapy facilities are available in Ayurveda, Homoeopathic, Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences Medical Colleges respectively. Further facilities for advanced skill and simulation based training and research are also provided.

Moreover, ensuring that relentless learning and growth continues irrespective of the situation the world is facing, Yenepoya is home to 108 ICT enabled class rooms, 38 seminar halls and 60 demonstration rooms available across the constituent colleges/centers of the University. The seminar rooms are also provided with LCD projectors, internet and Wi-Fi connectivity. In addition, the Demonstration rooms are available at the practical laboratories and clinical settings. Apart from these, 6 auditoriums are available for large group interactive teaching/seminars/co-curricular activities. Examination halls are under CCTV surveillance. There is also an advanced cancer centre called – Zulekha Yenepoya Institute of Oncology established in collaboration with TATA trust Mumbai, which boasts of having facilities for radiation oncology and nuclear medicine. This center has six floors housing two Radiotherapy bunkers and one Brachytherapy bunker. 

Research, Innovation and Placement Opportunities

Research is valued as one of the important pillars in the educational activities at the University. As a higher education institution, generation of new knowledge and dissemination for capacity building requires a robust research ecosystem. Considering this philosophy, the Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) has taken up various initiatives to set up a vibrant research culture to foster research at all levels from undergraduate to doctoral (PhD) and postdoctoral levels. One of the major steps towards realization of research aptitude was establishment of a multidisciplinary research center with infrastructure, resources and expert human resources.

Additionally, the University also boosts entrepreneurship on the campus, and as a result – to identify, foster and mentor innovators/entrepreneurs for the healthcare innovation, an incubator namely Yenepoya Foundation for Technology Incubation (YTI) was established in 2019. It is registered as per Section 8 of the companies act and Rule 18 of the Companies Rules 2014.  The Technology Incubation center is equipped with facilities for Med-Tech Design, Prototyping and 3D Printing which facilitate innovation and entrepreneurship activities. 

All thanks to the impressive industry-academic relationships existing at the University, Yenepoya has collaborated with a limited few business partners in the medical, technology, research, etc. With the goal of providing people from all over the world educational opportunities that can transform their lives, Big Brain Skills has collaborated with Yenepoya to ensure a smooth transition between organizations. Big Brain Skills is dedicated to transforming society as a whole by expanding everybody’s ability to receive high-quality education.

Dr. M. Vijayakumar – Vice-Chancellor

A surgeon, a teacher and an educationist for over 30 years, Dr. Vijayakumar graduated from Govt. Medical College, Chengalpattu, Madras University in 1980, where he got his DNB in General Surgery  through HAL Hospital, Bangalore and later awarded  MCh in surgical oncology from Bangalore University in 1993. A master of major and supra major cancer surgeries in the head and neck region, breast and gastrointestinal areas, his unique contribution is in the field of limb saving surgery for bone tumors and development of reconstructive surgery and micro vascular surgery in the Institute. He was instrumental in the development of minimal access surgery in Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology. He was conferred the Honorary FRCS by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow in 2007. He has Post Graduate diploma in Hospital Management from Annamalai University (2003) He is a regular examiner for MCh and DNB Courses in Surgical Oncology all over the country. He was the Professor of Surgical Oncology for more than 13 years and Director of Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology for over 5 years. He is presently the Head of Health Promotion and Cancer Prevention Committee of  National Cancer Grid under the aegis of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

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