PUDUCHERRY: The Department of Medical Education, formerly the National Teacher Training Center (NTTC), at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, has celebrated its 50th anniversary.Established in 1975 by the Union health and family welfare ministry with the support of the World Health Organization, the NTTC at Jipmer was the first center of its kind in the country, envisioned to advance educational science, modern teaching methodologies, and research in medical education, said a release from the institute.Over the decades, it has grown into a pioneering institution and is widely regarded as the ‘Mother Centre’ of medical education in India, having laid the foundation for similar centers across the country. NTTC has trained more than 2,500 faculty members from across all states and Union territories, as well as international participants from South Asian countries, thereby contributing to strengthening the quality of medical education and healthcare delivery systems in India and abroad. The transformation of NTTC into the department of medical education in 1994 marked a significant expansion of its academic and institutional role, enabling it to lead curriculum reforms, promote structured faculty development programs, and foster educational research and innovation within Jipmer and across the country.The National Medical Commission recognized the department as a regional center in 2015 and subsequently elevated it as a nodal center in 2023. Highlighting the significance of the milestone, Jipmer director Vir Singh Negi stated that “the journey of the department reflects Jipmer’s enduring commitment to excellence in teaching, innovation, and capacity building.” Jipmer has proposed to further strengthen its leadership in medical education through its ‘Vision 2030’ roadmap, which includes the establishment of a center of excellence in medical and health professions education, the launch of advanced academic programs, and the integration of emerging technologies and global collaborations into faculty development and training.
