US-based robotic surgery champion Vattikuti Foundation is initiating a global program for innovative thinkers among medical students.

Christened “Vattikuti Explorers,” the latest capacity-building step from the 25-year-old non-profit seeks to foster a culture of innovation and exploration in modern medicine and surgery by creating a multi-country network of medical students who can share their experiences with peers.

The Explorers get access to world-renowned medical experts in their field who, as mentors, will continue to guide and support them during their early careers.

The first in-person learning opportunity the Vattikuti Foundation is piloting is for eight Explorers to participate in a 3-day immersion programme at the Orsi Academy in Melle, Belgium. Jr. Orsi’s Summer School, from August 19-21, 2024, will include hands-on training with surgical robots and high-quality lectures.

The second in-person learning opportunity the Explorers will participate in is the Vattikuti Foundation’s KS International Innovation Awards and the ‘Humans at the Cutting Edge of Robotic Surgery’ symposium in Jaipur in February 2025. This event will feature presentations by global experts in robotic surgery. Explorers will compete in a competition to solve a healthcare issue, and top finalists will present their findings at the symposium.

Vattikuti Innovators Challenge 2024

Top winners of the competition, Vattikuti Innovators Challenge 2024, will have a chance to win cash prizes by demonstrating their cognitive and non-cognitive traits.

The ‘Vattikuti Explorers’ programme, open to medical students close to completion of their degree who aspire to push the boundaries of healthcare innovation, offers them a unique opportunity to delve into specialised research with accomplished robotic surgeons under the guidance of mentors.

“The ‘Vattikuti Explorers’ transcend traditional medical education through hands-on training, exposure to advanced surgical technologies, and the opportunity to connect with leading innovators from different medical fields. This experience is designed to equip Explorers with the skills and knowledge needed to become pioneers and leaders in healthcare,” says Dr Mahendra Bhandari, CEO, Vattikuti Foundation.

The Foundation has built a pool of accomplished robotic surgeons willing to mentor Explorers on an ongoing basis, Dr Bhandari added.

As an incubator for these global medical students, the Foundation will foster qualities such as curiosity, resilience, creativity, and a collaborative spirit. The programme also seeks to enhance cognitive skills like critical thinking, decision-making, and abstract thinking through a series of programmes led by successful real-life innovators, thinkers, and entrepreneurs.

The Explorers will have ongoing access to other Vattikuti Foundation programmes, including post-residency fellowships, virtual masterclasses, webinars, and lecture series.

Entries to the now-expanded 2024 KS International Innovation Awards are open until July 15, 2024. The competition now includes Robotic Procedure Innovation in many surgical fields and technological Innovation in AI, Imaging, Robotic Systems, Telesurgery, VR, and more. The 2023 edition of the KS competition received 141 shortlisted entries from 14 countries—Australia, Belgium, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, UK and USA.

Applications to the Vattikuti Foundation Explorers programme and KS International Innovation Awards are available at www.vattikutifoundation.com.

The Vattikuti Foundation, founded by IT pioneer and philanthropist couple Raj and Padma Vattikuti, is dedicated to advancing healthcare. Its activities encompass a wide range of initiatives aimed at promoting innovation, education, and collaboration in robotic surgery.

The Foundation plays a pivotal role in supporting R&D efforts to enhance robotic surgical systems and procedures. To achieve its mission of technological innovation and capacity-building resources for surgeons, the Foundation established nine regional institutions located in India, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, as well as a network of surgeons in different surgical specialties.

It also fosters education and training programmes for surgeons, medical professionals, and students, facilitating the adoption of cutting-edge surgical techniques.