AIIMS Delhi Emerging as Global Healthcare Powerhouse, Says VP at 51st Convocation Ceremony

The Vice President said AIIMS has, for decades, cultivated generations of healthcare professionals who combine scientific excellence with compassion, ethics and public service.

Declaring that the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi is setting new global benchmarks in healthcare, medical research and education, Vice President of India Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday hailed the institution as the nation's foremost engine of medical innovation and clinical excellence during the 51st Convocation Ceremony held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

Addressing graduating students, faculty members, healthcare professionals and dignitaries, the Vice President said AIIMS has evolved far beyond a premier medical institute into a globally respected symbol of trust, integrity and affordable healthcare.

He emphasized that AIIMS continues to maintain the highest standards of patient care and academic excellence while remaining remarkably accessible to ordinary citizens.

AIIMS Recognised as Symbol of Trust Across India and Beyond

Highlighting the institution's role in strengthening healthcare delivery and public confidence, Shri Radhakrishnan said the "AIIMS brand" has become synonymous with reliability and medical excellence not only across India but also throughout the South-East Asian region.

He noted that the institute has consistently demonstrated leadership across multiple healthcare domains, including:

• Pandemic resilience

• Rural healthcare outreach

• Medical innovation

• Research excellence

• Affordable patient care

The Vice President praised Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and President of AIIMS Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, along with the institute's director, faculty and administrators, for efficiently managing enormous patient volumes without compromising academic quality or clinical standards.

AIIMS Alumni Leading Global Medical Institutions

The Vice President said AIIMS has, for decades, cultivated generations of healthcare professionals who combine scientific excellence with compassion, ethics and public service.

He noted that AIIMS alumni today occupy leadership positions in prestigious medical and research institutions across the world, reflecting the institute's global academic and professional reputation.

"AIIMS has cultivated scholars who combine medical excellence with ethics and empathy," he observed.

Antarctic Robotic Ultrasound Demonstrates India's Medical Innovation Capacity

One of the highlights of the Vice President's address was his reference to AIIMS' recent technological achievement of conducting a remote robotic ultrasound procedure in Antarctica earlier this year.

He described the accomplishment as a landmark demonstration of India's growing capabilities in digital healthcare and advanced medical technology.

"The feat demonstrated that geography is no longer a barrier to Indian clinical excellence," the Vice President remarked.

Healthcare experts have described such remote robotic medical interventions as an important frontier in global telemedicine, particularly for:

• Remote healthcare delivery

• Disaster response medicine

• Polar and space medicine

• Rural and underserved healthcare access

• Military and expeditionary healthcare

AIIMS Expanding International Collaborations in AI and Healthcare

The Vice President also highlighted AIIMS' growing international partnerships, including the establishment of the Indo-French Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Health.

The collaboration reflects India's increasing focus on integrating artificial intelligence into healthcare systems for areas such as:

• Diagnostics

• Precision medicine

• Medical imaging

• Predictive healthcare

• Clinical decision support

• Public health analytics

Officials say AIIMS is rapidly positioning itself as a global hub for cutting-edge healthcare research and digital medicine innovation.

AIIMS Climbs Rapidly in Global Rankings

Praising the institute's growing international standing, Shri Radhakrishnan pointed to AIIMS' remarkable rise in the QS World University Rankings.

According to the Vice President, AIIMS has climbed 40 places in just two years, reaching 105th position globally.

He expressed confidence that the institute would soon enter the global top 100 and eventually emerge as the world's leading medical institution.

The Vice President also noted that AIIMS has consistently retained the top position in the NIRF medical category from 2018 to 2025, reinforcing its dominance in India's medical education landscape.

Faculty Excellence Reflected in Prestigious National and Global Recognition

Commending the institute's faculty and research community, Shri Radhakrishnan said the academic excellence of AIIMS is reflected in the numerous national honours and global recognitions earned by its scholars.

According to the Vice President:

• AIIMS faculty members include:

  • 2 Padma Vibhushan awardees

  • 15 Padma Bhushan recipients

  • 51 Padma Shri awardees

• Additionally, 57 AIIMS faculty members are listed among Stanford University's top 2 percent scientists globally

These achievements, he said, reflect AIIMS' enduring contribution to global medical science and research.

Expansion of AIIMS Network Strengthening India's Healthcare Reach

The Vice President also highlighted the rapid expansion of AIIMS institutions across India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said the establishment of new AIIMS campuses has significantly strengthened healthcare access and medical education in underserved regions.

The government's broader healthcare infrastructure push has included:

• Expansion of AIIMS institutions

• Establishment of new medical colleges

• Growth in nursing education infrastructure

• Increased healthcare workforce training

Officials say these efforts are aimed at addressing regional healthcare disparities and strengthening India's long-term medical capacity.

"One Nation, One Health" Vision Shaping Future of Indian Healthcare

Addressing the graduating students directly, Shri Radhakrishnan said they are entering the medical profession at a transformative moment in India's healthcare evolution.

He referred to the emerging vision of "One Nation, One Health", which seeks to create a more integrated, equitable and future-ready healthcare system.

The Vice President urged young doctors, scientists and healthcare professionals to become leaders in:

• Compassionate healthcare delivery

• Medical innovation

• Public trust in medicine

• Ethical clinical practice

• Community service

Vice President Warns AI Cannot Replace Human Compassion in Medicine

While acknowledging the growing impact of artificial intelligence across medicine and other sectors, Shri Radhakrishnan cautioned graduates against losing sight of the human dimension of healthcare.

He stressed that no technology can replace the emotional and moral responsibility carried by healthcare professionals.

"No artificial intelligence can replace the moral weight of a doctor's presence at a patient's bedside," he said.

The Vice President urged graduates to uphold:

• Empathy

• Integrity

• Humanity

• Professional ethics

throughout their medical careers.

Graduates Urged to Serve Society with Humility and Excellence

Congratulating the graduating students, Shri Radhakrishnan said the white coat symbolises far more than personal achievement and professional status.

"The white coat you wear carries expectations far beyond personal success," he told the graduates.

He encouraged them to dedicate themselves to serving society with humility, excellence and compassion while ensuring that their professional work contributes to the broader public good.

Senior Health and Academic Leaders Attend Convocation

The convocation ceremony was attended by several senior healthcare and academic leaders, including:

• Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and President, AIIMS New Delhi

• Prof. Nikhil Tandon, Director, AIIMS New Delhi

• Prof. Radhika Tandon, Dean of the Institute

• Prof. Girija Prasad Rath, Registrar of the Institute

along with faculty members, students, healthcare professionals and distinguished guests.

The ceremony highlighted AIIMS' growing role not only as India's premier medical institution but also as an emerging global centre of healthcare innovation, research and medical leadership.