TIRUPATI: Even as Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) entered its eighteenth year, the major milestone for the year that passed was the bagging of additional super specialty courses from the Medical Council of India (MCI).

The number of seats enhanced (in brackets) for specialties are -Anaesthesiology (2-4), DM-Cardiology (2-4), DM-Endocrinology (1-2), DM-Neurology (1-3), M.ch.-Urology (2-4) and M.Ch-Neurosurgery (1-2).

Similarly, the MCI has also approved M.Ch - Surgical Oncology (2) and DM -Medical Oncology (2 seats) for the academic year 2011-12.

While MD - Radiotherapy has cleared the inspection stage, M. Ch. Surgical Gastroenterology is awaiting the same.

The National Board of Examinations (NBE) inspection was held for renewal of accreditation to DNB Radio-diagnosis course.

SVIMS Director and Vice-Chancellor B. Vengamma, formalised the conduct of academic meetings like thesis protocol committee, institutional ethics committee, board of studies, research committee – to regularly to monitor the progress of academic and research works of the students and faculty.

The student enrolment also grew to 292 in MD/DM/MCh/Ph.D UG and PG courses in allied sciences in the academic year 2009-10 and 100 p.c. results were achieved in most of the courses.

Dr. Vengamma explained how SVIMS could garner Rs.120 crore from the Centre towards various projects, on a par with NIMS, Hyderabad, and lauded the role of MP Chinta Mohan.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Executive Officer I.Y.R. Krishna Rao released the souvenir containing the annual report.