Patna: AIIMS Patna on Saturday, January 17, hosted a demonstration of virtual reality (VR)–based learning modules designed to enhance nursing education, marking a significant step towards the use of immersive technology in healthcare training in Bihar.
The event was organised by the Department of Community and Family Medicine and the Nursing College at AIIMS Patna, in collaboration with Jhpiego Bihar, the Bihar Nursing Registration Council, IIT Patna and the start-up Aonix. The initiative is supported by funding from the ICICI Foundation and aims to improve competency and practical skills among nursing students through simulated, hands-on learning.
Speaking at the programme, Dr Shamshad Ahmad, additional professor in the Department of Community and Family Medicine, outlined the vision behind the project, describing VR as a powerful tool for safe and effective skill acquisition. Dr Narottam Pradhan, programme director at Jhpiego Bihar, highlighted the technical and academic inputs provided by AIIMS Patna in developing the modules.
Prof Sanjay Pandey, dean of research and head of the department, said the initiative could be scaled up and integrated across the nursing workforce in the future. He emphasised that technology-led learning could help standardise training and bridge gaps in clinical exposure.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof Punam Prasad Bhadani, dean (academics) at AIIMS Patna, underlined the importance of innovation in medical and nursing education. She said tools such as virtual reality could play a crucial role in strengthening the healthcare workforce and improving the quality of care in the state.
The programme concluded with a hands-on session in which participants used VR headsets to experience the modules firsthand. Organisers said the response reinforced their belief that immersive learning could set new benchmarks for nursing education and support wider adoption across institutions in Bihar.
