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Appointment of RUHS VC Sparks Debate
The appointment of Prof. Pramod Yeole as the new Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) has ignited a heated debate over whether non-MBBS graduates should be allowed to govern medical institutions.
Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde appointed Pramod Yeole, a PhD holder in Pharmaceutical Sciences, as the VC of RUHS, an institution that oversees 30 medical colleges in Rajasthan. Yeole previously served as Vice-Chancellor of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University and as Pro-VC of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University.
While many in the medical community have strongly opposed the decision, a section of educators, including MSc and PhD holders, argue that such administrative roles should not be restricted to MBBS degree holders.
Opposition from Medical Professionals
Yeole’s appointment has been met with backlash from medical professionals who believe that a health university should be led by someone with a medical degree. The Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) Rajasthan chapter has strongly opposed his appointment, claiming it compromises the quality of medical education and research.
The IMA has written to the governor urging a reversal of the decision and has even threatened statewide protests in medical colleges.
Dr. Praveen Chand Garg, State Secretary of IMA Rajasthan, criticized the decision, stating, “RUHS is a health university, and it should be led by a medical professional. Pramod Yeole is not a qualified doctor; he holds expertise in a specific subject but does not have an MBBS degree. How can a person who is not a doctor understand the complexities of medical education? It’s like asking a Sanskrit teacher to evaluate an English exam.”
Defense from Non-MBBS Educators
On the other hand, MSc and PhD faculty members argue that an MBBS degree is not essential for administrative leadership in a medical university. They point out that many prestigious universities have PhD holders as vice-chancellors, even in institutions with affiliated medical colleges.
The National MSc Medical Teachers’ Association (NMMTA) has defended Yeole’s appointment, calling the opposition discriminatory.
Dr. Ayan Kumar Das, Secretary of NMMTA, equated the resistance to a rigid mindset that excludes non-MBBS professionals.
“Universities across the country, including those with medical colleges, have PhD holders as vice-chancellors. Why is an MBBS degree suddenly necessary for an administrative post? If we follow this logic, even the Prime Minister and Health Minister would need MBBS degrees to govern. This demand is nothing but discrimination,” he told EdexLive.
He also highlighted how policies like the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) 2020 reforms have reduced opportunities for MSc and PhD teachers, exacerbating faculty shortages in medical education.
“India follows Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME), a model adopted from the US, where non-MBBS educators play a significant role. But in India, qualified MSc and PhD teachers are being systematically removed. This isn’t just about one appointment—it’s a broader fight against exclusionary policies,” he added.
A Larger Debate
The RUHS VC appointment has reignited a broader debate on the role of non-MBBS professionals in medical education. While doctors argue that only medical graduates can understand and address the complexities of medical training, MSc and PhD educators see this as an attempt to sideline qualified professionals.
However, this debate is not new.
In October 2020, the NMC issued regulations reducing the allowable percentage of non-medical teachers in various departments. For subjects like Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry, the permissible percentage of non-medical teachers was reduced from 30% to 15%. For Pharmacology and Microbiology, the allowance for non-medical teachers was entirely removed.
The reforms also highlighted concerns regarding existing faculty shortages in medical colleges and universities in India.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available reports and expert opinions. The views expressed by different stakeholders reflect their respective positions on the matter. Readers are encouraged to assess the information critically and consider multiple perspectives before forming their own opinions.
