Ramdas M Pai
Encyclopedia
Padma Bhushan Doctor Ramdas M Pai is a doctor, businessman, philanthropist and chairman of Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), a multi-national organisation that delivers education and healthcare services. Son of Dr. TMA Pai, the founder of the educational town of Manipal
, Ramdas Pai has been instrumental in the successful growth of the group.
Ramdas Pai also contributes to medical and educational associations across the country. He was a member of the Medical Council of India
, Dental Council of India
, Senate and Syndicate of Mangalore University
, National Assessment and Accreditation Council
(NAAC) and numerous other educational, business and social organisations. He is also a member of the Executive Council of Assam University
.
In 2000, he was nominated by the Union Minister of Human Resource Development to a special six-member committee to advise the Ministry on Higher Education. Ramdas M Pai has been a strong advocate of Public-Private partnership in higher education. In his vision for the future of India, higher education which builds up the nation’s intellectual capital, plays a vital role with the government transforming into a facilitator and a catalyst rather than a mere regulator promoting the cause of higher education, improving access and upgrading standards.
Ramdas M Pai’s efforts led to Manipal University getting the status of a deemed university granted by the Government of India to the medical, dental and nursing colleges in 1993 under the banner of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education. As the chairman of MEMG, his efforts have resulted in foreign exchange earnings to the nation of Rs.73.91 crores during 2005-06, treatment of over 150 lakh patients in the Manipal Group Hospitals, direct employment to more than 13,000 persons, indirect employment to over 25,000 persons who could not go to school, who do not own land, are not trained in any craft nor can get any government jobs, artisans, craftsmen, etc.
‘Manipal Arogya Card’, the health insurance scheme of Manipal Foundation, covers over 1,00,000 people who live below the poverty line.
Manipal
Manipal is a university town situated in the state of Karnataka in India. It is a suburb within Udupi city and is administered by Udupi City Municipality. It is located in the rocky hinterland of the Malabar Coast of south west India, about 8 km from the Arabian Sea...
, Ramdas Pai has been instrumental in the successful growth of the group.
Education and career
A medical graduate, an alumnus of KMC, Manipal and a postgraduate in Hospital Administration from Temple University, Philadelphia, USA, Ramdas M Pai began his career as a hospital administrator at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal in 1961. Currently, Ramdas M Pai is the Chancellor of Manipal University and the Chairman of Manipal Education and Medical Group. He is also the Pro Chancellor of the Sikkim-Manipal University of Health, Medical & Technological Sciences, Gangtok, Sikkim. He is also the President of TA Pai management Institute, Manipal and Registrar of the Academy of General Education, Manipal.Ramdas Pai also contributes to medical and educational associations across the country. He was a member of the Medical Council of India
Medical Council of India
The Medical Council of India was the statutory body for maintenance of uniform and high standards of medical education in India. The Council grants recognition of medical qualifications, gives accreditation to medical colleges, grants registration to medical practitioners, and monitors medical...
, Dental Council of India
Dental Council of India
The Dental Council of India was incorporated under The Dentists Act, 1948 to regulate dental education and the profession throughout India. It is financed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and through the local state dental councils....
, Senate and Syndicate of Mangalore University
Mangalore University
Mangalore University is a public university located in Konaje, Karnataka State of India. Ranked with a four star by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council in June 2000, this young university offers higher education and conducts research in various fields...
, National Assessment and Accreditation Council
National Assessment and Accreditation Council
The National Assessment and Accreditation Council is an organization that assesses and accredits institutions of higher education in India. It is an autonomous body funded by University Grants Commission of Government of India headquartered in Bangalore.-History:NAAC was established in 1994 in...
(NAAC) and numerous other educational, business and social organisations. He is also a member of the Executive Council of Assam University
Assam University
Assam University is a teaching-cum-affiliating university. The university has nine schools which offer Social Sciences, Humanities, Languages, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Information Sciences, Technology and Management Studies. There are 29 departments under these...
.
In 2000, he was nominated by the Union Minister of Human Resource Development to a special six-member committee to advise the Ministry on Higher Education. Ramdas M Pai has been a strong advocate of Public-Private partnership in higher education. In his vision for the future of India, higher education which builds up the nation’s intellectual capital, plays a vital role with the government transforming into a facilitator and a catalyst rather than a mere regulator promoting the cause of higher education, improving access and upgrading standards.
Ramdas M Pai’s efforts led to Manipal University getting the status of a deemed university granted by the Government of India to the medical, dental and nursing colleges in 1993 under the banner of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education. As the chairman of MEMG, his efforts have resulted in foreign exchange earnings to the nation of Rs.73.91 crores during 2005-06, treatment of over 150 lakh patients in the Manipal Group Hospitals, direct employment to more than 13,000 persons, indirect employment to over 25,000 persons who could not go to school, who do not own land, are not trained in any craft nor can get any government jobs, artisans, craftsmen, etc.
Philanthropy
Manipal Education’s philanthropreneurial efforts are channelled through Manipal Foundation, set up by Ramdas Pai. It pursues several developmental activities, from offering scholarships and freeships worth Rs. 15 Crore for meritorious students, to running maternal and child welfare homes for the rural population in the region, and sponsoring free heart surgeries for children belonging to the lower socio-economic strata.‘Manipal Arogya Card’, the health insurance scheme of Manipal Foundation, covers over 1,00,000 people who live below the poverty line.
Honours and awards
Pai’s contributions to education have been recognised nationally and internationally. He has received a number of awards and honours in recognition of his contribution to education, healthcare, business and community service.- Padma Bhushan for his outstanding contribution in the field of education and healthcare
- Dr. B.C. Roy National Award for Community Health Work presented by the President of India in 1993
- Phillips Medal of Ohio University, USA in recognition of public service
- 'Udupi Rathna' Award by Udupi Utsav Committee 2004-2005 in August 2005
- Honoured by the Government of Karnataka in November 2006 in celebration of Suvarna Karnataka Year
- 'Kanara Ratna Award' by Kanara College Society, Kumta in Feb 2008
- Honorary Doctorate, Milwaukee School of EngineeringMilwaukee School of EngineeringThe Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private university located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. MSOE is best known for its applications-oriented curriculum, close association with business and industry, and extremely high placement rate...
, USA in 1996
- Honorary Doctorate, Andrews UniversityAndrews UniversityAndrews University is a Seventh-day Adventist university in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1874 as Battle Creek College in Battle Creek, Michigan, it was the first higher education facility started by Seventh-day Adventists, and is the flagship university of the Seventh-day...
, USA in 1998
- Honorary Professor of International Health by the University of Minnesota Medical SchoolUniversity of Minnesota Medical SchoolThe University of Minnesota Medical School is the medical school of the University of Minnesota. It is a combination of two campuses situated in Minneapolis and Duluth, Minnesota....
in 1999
- Was presented the Key to the City of Loma Linda, USA in 1982 and 1991
- Honorary Fellowship of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (FGDP) of the Royal College of Surgeons of EnglandRoyal College of Surgeons of EnglandThe Royal College of Surgeons of England is an independent professional body and registered charity committed to promoting and advancing the highest standards of surgical care for patients, regulating surgery, including dentistry, in England and Wales...
in 2004
- Intellectuals Honor – The Great Son of the Soil award by All India Conference of Intellectuals in 1997
- Award of Philanthropy by Bunts' Sangha, Bombay in 1992.
- 'Konkani Prathibha' award by Konkani Bhasha Prachar Sabha, Cochin in 1994
- Award by World Konkani Convention in 1995
- Lions Millennium Award 2001 conferred by Lions District 324-D4
- Deccan Herald Avenues HR Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award in February 2005
- 'MMA-KVK Outstanding Manager Award-2005' by Mangalore Management Association in December 2005