Manipal, Feb 16: The Karnataka State Allied and Healthcare Council (KSAHC), in collaboration with the Manipal College of Health Professions (MCHP), Manipal, a constituent unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, hosted the final state-level workshop on the Implementation of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Curriculum on February 12, 2026.
The workshop marks a significant milestone in preparing allied and healthcare educational institutions across Karnataka for the mandatory transition to a competency-based curriculum, which will be implemented from the Academic Year 2026–2027.
In his presidential address, Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor, MAHE, stated that the Manipal College of Health Professions (MCHP), Manipal, is a leading institution in allied health education in India and plays a vital role in providing quality education and clinical training. He emphasised MAHE’s continued focus on academic excellence, regulatory compliance, and capacity building in healthcare education.
Speaking on the occasion, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M D Venkatesh, VSM (Retd.), Vice Chancellor, MAHE, highlighted that the sessions were structured to provide practical guidance to institutions on adopting outcome-driven teaching, learning, and assessment practices in line with regulatory requirements.
The programme was presided over by Dr B. L. Sujatha Rathod, Director, Directorate of Medical Education, Government of Karnataka. The event was attended by senior leadership from MAHE, including Dr H. S. Ballal, Pro Chancellor, and Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd.) Vice Chancellor. The Guests of Honour included Prof. U. T. Ifthikar Ali Fareed, Chairman, Karnataka State Allied and Healthcare Council, and Dr Gangadhar Somayaji, Vice Chancellor, Yenepoya Deemed to be University.
MAHE dignitaries were also present during the inauguration: Dr Sharath Kumar Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor, Health Sciences, MAHE; Dr Srinivas Murthy S. T., Secretary, Medical Education; Dr P. Giridhar Kini, Registrar, MAHE; and Dr G. Arun Maiya, Dean, Manipal College of Health Professions (MCHP), Manipal.
Addressing the gathering, Dr B. L. Sujatha Rathod stated that the workshop is a crucial step in aligning healthcare education in the state with global best practices. She emphasised that the shift to Competency-Based Education (CBE) will ensure that allied health graduates possess not only theoretical knowledge but also clearly defined and measurable professional skills required by the healthcare sector. The workshop was designed for Heads of Institutions and senior faculty members and focused on enabling them to understand and implement the new NCAHP framework effectively. Technical sessions led by academic experts covered curriculum mapping, alignment of Programme Outcomes and Course Outcomes, national and international perspectives on competency-based education, assessment strategies across learning domains, and advanced evaluation tools such as rubrics and OSCE/OSPE.
Prof. U. T. Ifthikar Ali Fareed stressed the need for strict implementation of the NCAHP-approved curriculum by all institutions from the Academic Year 2026–2027, reiterating the role of the Karnataka State Allied and Healthcare Council in regulating and maintaining professional standards for allied and healthcare practitioners in the state.
Dr G. Arun Maiya, Dean, MCHP, Manipal, outlined the workshop’s objectives and reaffirmed MCHP’s commitment to supporting institutions during the transition to the new curriculum.
The workshop concluded with a strong consensus on collaborative implementation of the NCAHP curriculum to ensure uniform standards and high-quality training for allied and healthcare professionals across Karnataka.