Manipal College of Nursing (MCON), Manipal organized Oration - 2022 on 19th and 20th January 2022, in memory of the legends in Nursing, Prof. (Late) P. P. Bhanumathi, the founder Dean of MCON and Dr. (Late) Aparna Bhaduri, a world-renowned nurse researcher and the PG Coordinator at MCON MAHE. The oration was conducted during the Manipal International Nursing Research Conclave – Virtual which was organized by Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal from 19 to 22 January 2022.

Oration in memory of Late Dr Aparna Bhaduri on the topic, “Research Innovation in Nursing” was presented by Dr Simi Jesto Joseph, who is the alumna of MCON, Manipal, now the Advanced Practice Provider and Researcher, North-western Medicine Chicago, Former Director of Clinical Operations, GI Solutions of IL, Chicago, USA on 19th January 2022. She said that nurses are real-time problem solvers, innovators and have creativity. She gave a historical overview on research in nursing across the world and in India and the various publications, societies, organisations and research developments in Nursing. She explained that innovation is the novel application of ideas, implementation of something new, improvement to an existing product or process and continued relevance. She emphasised the process of innovation, dimensions, need to conduct innovative research giving examples of the pandemic innovations in nursing which may stay in future healthcare delivery. She further highlighted that to prepare competent nurses- innovation and creativity are necessary for nursing education and practice. Dr Anice George, Professor, Department of Child Health (Paediatric) Nursing, MCON, MAHE, Manipal, moderated the oration by introducing Dr. (Late) Aparna Bhaduri, her contribution to nursing at MCON and in India and also the speaker.

Oration in memory of Prof. (Late) P. P. Bhanumathi was orated by Prof. Madhu Veeraraghavan, Director, TA Pai Institute, Manipal, India on the topic “Benchmarking: adapting best practices to improve organizational quality” on 20th January 2022 at 1.00 pm. In the oration, Prof. Madhu spoke of creating a culture of quality, focusing on leadership, engaging people and maintaining relationships in order to identify the benchmark required for an institution. He emphasized the principles and benefits of quality management and the strategies for success ie, to enlighten the organizational leadership, provide continuous support to the employees and encourage ongoing learning. He elaborated on the nursing care benchmarking, dimensions of quality and ways to improve quality. He highlighted that in nursing care, benchmarking would be: best care, at the best cost, with the best comparison, at the best context and best outcome. He encouraged nurse leaders and nurses to be more connected, accept and learn fundamental societal requirements, emphasising that nursing care benchmarking has many faces and needs to be addressed based on the standards placed by the accreditation bodies. Dr Elsa Sanatombi Devi, Professor, Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, MCON, MAHE, Manipal moderated this oration by introducing Prof. (Late) P. P. Bhanumathi and her contribution to the growth of the institution and the speaker.

A total of 236 participants (57 students and 179 faculty) from national and international participated in the oration

The proceedings of the day were hosted by Ms Edith Jovita Bangera, Assistant Lecturer, Manipal School of Nursing, MCON, MAHE, Manipal and Mrs Prima Jenevive Jyothi D’Souza, Assistant Professor, Department of Fundamentals of Nursing, MCON, MAHE, Manipal.