Vizag to Establish India's First Medical Technology University
Visakhapatnam's Andhra Pradesh Medical Technology Zone (AMTZ) is set to inaugurate India’s first ‘Global MedTech University’, a groundbreaking development in the country's medical technology sector. Scheduled to open in the 2025-26 academic year, this new institution will be established through a collaboration between public and private entities.
The university will offer a variety of specialized academic programs, including an MBA with a focus on medical regulatory approvals and entrepreneurship, MTech degrees in medical technology devices and bioengineering, and PhD courses. Students will benefit from practical training and direct engagement with industry professionals, thanks to the university’s location within AMTZ, which houses nearly 140 medical technology companies.
Prof. Hanumanthu Purushotham, who will lead the university, highlighted the pressing need for such an institution. He pointed out that much of India's medical equipment demand is currently fulfilled through imports, due in part to the lack of dedicated educational and research opportunities in medical technology and regulatory affairs. “This university aims to bridge the gap between the industry's increasing need for skilled professionals and the current educational offerings,” said Prof. Purushotham. “Medical technology companies often hire graduates from other fields and then train them. Our university will address these specific industry needs, providing students with valuable skills that are highly sought after.”
Prof. Purushotham, previously the CMD of the National Research Development Corporation and the DPIIT-IPR Chair Professor at Andhra University, also noted that the new university will partner with top international institutions to expand its educational reach and technological expertise. This collaboration will ensure that students receive advanced training and are well-prepared for the medical technology field.
In a recent development, Prof. Purushotham was relieved of his duties as the DPIIT-IPR Chair Professor at Andhra University on September 6. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. G. Sashi Bhushana Rao, and Registrar, Prof. Dhananjaya Rao, praised his significant contributions to promoting intellectual property rights (IPR) at the university. Under his guidance, Andhra University introduced several IPR-focused courses, including a one-year IPR program and mandatory IPR coursework for all students.
The establishment of the Global MedTech University represents a major advancement in medical technology education in India, poised to train a new generation of professionals to meet the industry’s growing demands.