Haryana’s BPS Government Medical College becomes first Indian college to win international innovation prize

IMU-Ron Harden Innovation in Medical Education (IMU-RHIME) Award is aimed at encouraging innovations in medical education and recognising innovations by academics, “which otherwise might go unnoticed”

Updated - October 20, 2026 04:34 pm IST - Chandigarh

Ron Harden (R) hands over the IMU-Ron Harden Innovation in Medical Education (IMU-RHIME) Award 2026 to Dr. Sumita Sethi, Professor of Ophthalmology at BPSGMC

A team from Haryana’s BPS Government Medical College (BPSGMC) for Women in Khanpur Kalan has won the IMU-Ron Harden Innovation in Medical Education (IMU-RHIME) Award 2026, the first time the award has been won by an Indian college. The award was for BPS Government Medical College for Women’s student leadership programme ‘Network of Student Leaders’ (NEST).

The award was presented at the 19th International Medical Education Conference, held at IMU University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and was received by Dr. Sumita Sethi, Professor of Ophthalmology at BPSGMC. Dr. Sethi presented the winning work on behalf of the college team, which also includes Dr. Renu Garg and Dr. Ruchi Agarwal.

The award is aimed at encouraging innovations in medical education and recognising innovations by academics, “which otherwise might go unnoticed,” the official document on the award says.

“Humbled and delighted to share that our initiative on student leadership, NEST (Network of Student Leaders) received the IMU-Ron Harden Innovation in Medical Education (IMU-RHIME) Award 2026 at the 19th International Medical Education Conference at IMU University, Kuala Lumpur,” Dr. Sethi posted on social media.

“This is the first time since the award was instituted in 2008 that the rolling trophy has come to India,” she added.

The award, instituted in 2008, has previously been won by medical colleges in Hong Kong, Malaysia, the U.K., the U.S. and Pakistan.

Under the NEST programme, 278 medical students from 11 colleges across India received leadership training and went on to lead 63 projects addressing community health issues, including menstrual hygiene, cervical cancer awareness, child marriage and drug abuse.

“None of this would have been possible without the core faculty of NEST, Dr. Renu Garg and Ruchi Agarwal,” Dr. Sethi added.

The Director congratulated the team on its achievement, describing it as a matter of pride not only for Haryana but also for the Indian medical fraternity.

Published - October 20, 2026 04:30 pm IST

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