GMC Jammu named NMC Regional Centre for Faculty Training

206 medical faculty members trained through eight programmes so far: Principal

Arvind Sharma

JAMMU TAWI, Sept 12: Medical faculty across Jammu and Kashmir are set to benefit from strengthened faculty development and competency-based medical education, with Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu becoming a new regional training centre approved by the National Medical Commission (NMC).

So far, GMC Jammu has trained 206 medical faculty members through eight Basic Courses in Medical Education (BCME) and Revised Basic Course Workshop (RBCW) programmes, making it an important centre for capacity-building of medical teachers in the region.

“For medical institutions and faculty members across J&K, the approval of the new regional training centre means greater access to structured training aimed at improving teaching methods, assessment practices and implementation of competency-based medical education (CBME),” Principal, GMC Jammu, Dr Ashutosh, informed Northlines.

The centre has been mandated to support faculty development and facilitate the effective implementation of CBME across medical colleges and institutions within its regional network.

The eight BCME/RBCW programmes conducted by GMC Jammu were held between July 2019 and September 2026, including programmes in July 2019, November 2021, May and September 2024, September and November 2025, and May and September 2026.

Together, these programmes trained 206 faculty members from institutions across the region.

GMC Jammu has also conducted two Curriculum Implementation Support Programmes (CISPs) in July 2019 and August 2020—to help faculty members translate the principles of competency-based education into classroom and clinical teaching.

The regional centre currently supports medical institutions across J&K, including GMC Srinagar, SKIMS Soura, SKIMS Medical College Bemina, GMC Anantnag, GMC Baramulla, GMC Handwara, GMC Kathua, GMC Rajouri, GMC Doda, GMC Udhampur, ASCOMS Jammu and GMC Jammu.

For students and patients, the long-term significance of the initiative lies in its focus on improving the quality of medical teaching and training.

The NMC-approved centre is expected to promote competency-based teaching, innovative learning methods, better assessment practices and continuous professional development of faculty members.

With its expanded regional responsibilities, GMC Jammu is now positioned to play a larger role in strengthening medical educators and implementation of CBME across Jammu and Kashmir.