Imphal: Manipur University is awaiting response from the National Medical Commission on some points for the conduction of examinations in medical colleges in violence-hit state of Manipur. A special exam can be conducted for the displaced medical students belonging to the Kuki-Zo community, said spokesperson of Manipur Government and Health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, reassuring that their career life will not be impacted due to the ongoing violence.
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Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan was addressing the media in Imphal on Wednesday evening, a day after, the first year Kuki-Zo MBBS students numbering at least 27 took out protest on the streets in Churachandpur District. The medical students took out the protest alleging that Manipur University had not allowed them to write their Phase-1 examinations at Churachandpur Medical College despite no objection from the NMC.
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“As far as the fate of the medical students are concerned, the state government takes the welfare of students in a serious manner. Since the start of Manipur violence, state government has been taking measures to secure the academic life of students in the state, reiterated the health minister. Manipur government has been corresponding with the NMC and the relevant ministry for months for the welfare of the students, he said.
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Regarding media reports that the Kuki-Zo MBBS students were denied from appearing in the exam, the minister clarified, “All medical colleges in the country come under the purview of the NMC. Whatever steps we take, whatever changes we make, the curriculum etc, all need to be in accordance with the guidelines of the NMC. And in Manipur all these four medical colleges are under Manipur University which is again a central university. Both NMC and MU are under the Central Government and any changes require advisories from the Centre.”
“The state government had requested the NMC for dual campuses of Churachandpur Medical College, which was established last year, to which the NMC agreed. However, the issue is with regards to JNIMS, RIMS and Shija Academy of Medical Sciences which are all based in Imphal and these colleges are conducting their second year examination this December. On November 13, NMC wrote to the Dean of School of Medical Sciences, MU that it would have no objection if displaced students want to appear for exams from parent college or different college but the university may take the decision after due consultation with the colleges and the relevant authorities. The same applies for dental colleges,” the minister said.
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“Subsequently, Manipur University held a meeting with these medical colleges and stakeholders and they had sought an advise or suggestions from the NMC on few points, because apart from Churachandpur Medical College, the other three medical colleges will be conducting MBBS 2nd Year examinations in December. Whether second and third year students can also give exams at different places, eligibility criteria, attendance and internal assessments play a big role in assessing a student. So a holistic approach is required while taking a decision,” the minister stressed.
Minister Ranjan disclosed that Manipur University wrote to the NMC on November 17 seeking for a concrete advise on these matters but it has not responded so far. He assured that acting upon the advise of the NMC, special exams can be conducted for the displaced Kuki-Zo medical students. The minister ended the press meet by reiterating that the government is pursuing for the welfare of the students from day one.
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