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Training tomorrow’s surgeons: Reimagining medical education

5 June 2025

Link to the coverage: "Training Tomorrow’s Surgeons: Reimagining Medical Education"
Date of publication: 2nd June 2025
Journalist: Arunima Jha, Sub-editor, India Today

Early access to robotic surgery, global mentorship, and hands-on innovation set the Vattikuti Explorers apart as pioneers in future-ready medical training

As medical education evolves in step with rapid technological shifts, the Vattikuti Foundation is leading the charge in preparing the next generation of surgeons. Through the Vattikuti Explorers Program, medical students are being offered early exposure to robotic surgery, interdisciplinary learning, and international mentorship—all while still in training. In this interview with India Today, the Foundation outlines the programme’s vision, its global partnerships, and how it’s equipping students to lead with both skill and imagination.

Q 1. As medical education continues to evolve beyond textbooks and lecture halls, how is the Vattikuti Explorers program contributing to this shift by offering experiential learning and early exposure to surgical innovation?
The Vattikuti Explorers Programme was launched to cultivate early innovation among medical students by offering exposure to advanced surgical technologies and international mentorship. It represents a conscious departure from traditional recall-based curricula, introducing experiential learning and hands-on exposure to disruptive technologies early in a medical career. By integrating clinical simulation with real-world mentorship, the program bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Students gain technical skills necessary for precision surgery while engaging in interdisciplinary learning that fosters a holistic understanding of minimally invasive procedures.

Q 2. What motivated the launch of the Vattikuti Explorers programme, and how does it aim to reshape early medical education by integrating innovation and real-world surgical exposure?
With the rapid evolution of robotic surgery, there is an urgent need to nurture future leaders who are equipped not only with technical proficiency but also with a mindset geared toward innovation, resilience, and collaborative problem-solving. The Vattikuti Explorers Programme was created in response to this need. It aims to reshape early medical education by prioritising early clinical immersion, exposure to real-world scenarios, and an innovation-first mindset. It reflects our belief that future surgical leaders must be trained to think creatively and operate confidently in complex, technology-driven environments.

Q 3. In what ways does the programme equip students to stay ahead in the fields of minimally invasive and robotic surgery, particularly through interdisciplinary learning and access to cutting-edge technologies?
Through immersive simulation labs and dynamic mentorship opportunities, the Vattikuti Explorers Programme connects academic instruction with real-life surgical contexts. Students gain hands-on training essential for robotic precision while exploring the intersections of medicine, engineering, and digital health. They are also exposed to technologies such as augmented reality and tele-surgery, expanding their perspective on the future of minimally invasive care. This blend of forward-thinking tools and collaborative learning ensures they are well-prepared to lead in an ever-evolving surgical landscape.

Q 4. How does the Vattikuti Explorers Program expand students' global perspective and critical thinking skills through international exposure at platforms like the Jr. Orsi Summer School and innovation-driven initiatives such as the Vattikuti Innovators Challenge?
A key component of the programme is the Junior Orsi Summer School in Belgium, where participants train on a variety of robotic systems in a simulated surgical environment. This immersive experience includes high-level lectures and mentorship from global experts in urology, gynaecology, surgical oncology, and other disciplines. Alongside exposure to cutting-edge simulation platforms, students engage in international peer collaboration and knowledge exchange. The Vattikuti Foundation congratulates eight of its medical student Explorers from the UK, Canada, India and Romania as the selected cohort to attend the Jr. Orsi robotic surgery summer school program in Ghent, Belgium:
  • Prachi Trivedi, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Mother Teresa Nursing College, Puducherry, India
  • Alexandra Pascu, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu", Cluj, Romania
  • Iulia-Renata Fetea, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu", Cluj, Romania
  • Andrei Marina-Fit, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu", Cluj, Romania
  • Lucy Counsell, Plymouth University, Plymouth, United Kingdom
  • Nicole Salgado Fernandez, University of Buckingham, United Kingdom
  • Denia Hamidi, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
  • Wai Miu Emma Liu, King's College London, London, United Kingdom

To further develop critical thinking and creativity, the Vattikuti Innovators Challenge tasks students with solving real-world healthcare problems. Selected teams present their ideas at the prestigious KS International Innovation Awards, gaining international exposure and confidence as budding innovators.

Q 5. How does the Explorers program complement students’ academic paths while enriching their learning experience with added value and support?
While traditional medical education focuses on foundational knowledge, the Explorers Program enhances it by offering practical and technology-integrated experiences that align with the realities of modern surgical practice. Students benefit from early interaction with robotic tools, global mentorship and diverse clinical perspectives, components often lacking in early-stage training. This approach adds contextual depth to their academic journey and encourages solution-oriented thinking from the start.

Q 6. Looking ahead, what long-term impact do you envision the Explorers alumni having on the future of surgical innovation, healthcare leadership, or even policy-making in India and beyond?
With early hands-on exposure, global perspectives and strong mentorship, these students are likely to drive the adoption and advancement of robotic surgery across diverse healthcare systems. Their training fosters not only technical excellence but also a commitment to equity, accessibility and continuous learning. We envision these alumni contributing meaningfully to transforming surgical practices, championing inclusive innovation and informing forward-looking healthcare policies both in India and globally.

In conversation with the CEO, Vattikuti Foundation.