Lt Gen Pankaj P Rao Launches Manthan Initiative at AFMC Pune to Boost Medical Education Innovation

The Department of Medical Education at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, has launched a new initiative called “Manthan” to promote innovation, excellence and the use of contemporary technologies in medical education.

The initiative was inaugurated by Lt Gen Pankaj P Rao, Director and Commandant, AFMC, on August 29, 2026. According to the college, the launch is part of its ongoing effort to update medical education and training in step with changing academic and technological demands.

“Manthan” has been introduced as an extension of the Medical Education Unit’s work at AFMC, a unit that has been in place since 1993. Over time, the unit has adapted to the changing needs of medical education and was later recognised in 2019 as an NMC Regional Centre for Medical Education Technologies.

The new initiative is intended to bring these efforts together under a more focused framework, with greater emphasis on innovation, modern educational technologies and high standards in medical teaching and training.

AFMC said the platform is expected to support the wider adoption of modern teaching methods and strengthen the institutional environment for faculty development, academic innovation and technology-enabled learning.

The development reflects AFMC’s broader effort to keep pace with changes in healthcare, teaching practices and emerging technologies. “Manthan” is meant to build on that base and give additional momentum to the college’s medical education reforms.

It also highlights the importance of continuous professional development in medical education, especially at a time when technology and healthcare delivery are increasingly shaping how doctors and other medical professionals are trained.

With its emphasis on innovation and contemporary tools, “Manthan” is being positioned as a platform to improve the quality and relevance of medical education at AFMC and to help prepare future-ready medical professionals.

The launch further underlines AFMC Pune’s stated commitment to excellence in medical education and training, while reinforcing its role in advancing innovative practices within the Armed Forces medical education ecosystem.