Digital classrooms, virtual labs planned for all government medical colleges in Telangana

The Telangana Health department has decided to implement a Digital Education Policy across all 35 government medical colleges in the State, in a move aimed at strengthening practical learning and clinical training. The decision was taken by Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha during a review meeting held on Wednesday (January 21).

As part of the policy, classrooms in government medical colleges will be equipped with smart boards and LED screens, while a Learning Management System will be introduced to track students’ academic progress and enable regular assessment of their skills.

The policy also focuses on the use of virtual laboratories, simulation-based learning tools and virtual reality technology to help students better understand complex subjects such as anatomy and surgical procedures. These technologies would allow students to visualise and practise scenarios that are difficult to replicate through conventional teaching methods, said a release.

The Minister noted that 4,140 students are admitted to MBBS courses every year in Telangana. Acknowledging concerns over maintaining academic standards amid this growth, he said the globally recognised quality of doctors trained at Osmania Medical College and Gandhi Medical College must be replicated across all government institutions.

The Minister also directed that Osmania Medical College, Gandhi Medical College and MGM Medical College in Warangal be developed as Centres of Excellence. These institutions will focus on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality and will function as training hubs for faculty members and students from other government medical colleges.