Haryana medical college wins IMU-Ron Harden award for student leadership network

A team from Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women in Khanpur Kalan, Haryana, led by Dr Sumita Sethi, has received the IMU-Ron Harden Innovation in Medical Education Award 2026. The honour recognises NEST, the Network of Student Leaders, which aims to promote leadership in medical education. The prize was presented on 11 October at the 19th International Medical Education Conference held at IMU University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. An international panel, including Professor Ronald Harden, judged five shortlisted entries from different countries.

Under NEST, 278 students from 11 colleges across India completed leadership training and led 63 projects on community health issues, including menstrual hygiene, cervical cancer awareness, child marriage and drug abuse. Reporting notes this is the first time the award's rolling trophy has come to India since the award was set up in 2008.