TMU Hosts Animated Strip Event on Autacoid Drugs under ISRPT
On 14th June 2025, the Department of Pharmacology at Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College & Research Centre (TMMC&RC) conducted a dynamic academic event titled “Concept of Drugs Acting on Autacoids – Animated Strip”, organised under the aegis of the Indian Society for Rational Pharmacotherapeutics (ISRPT).
The initiative was aligned with the Self-Directed Learning (SDL) module introduced in the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum by the National Medical Commission (NMC), aiming to encourage innovation, conceptual clarity, and student engagement.
Integrating Animation into Medical Education
The participants, all second-year MBBS students of the 2023 batch, were assigned the task of creating an animated strip that effectively communicated the pharmacological action of drugs acting on autacoids. This novel approach allowed students to simplify complex drug mechanisms while integrating creativity and technology into traditional learning.
After successful submission within the assigned timeline, entries were evaluated by faculty members of the Department of Pharmacology. The top 15 students were shortlisted based on the clarity and conceptual strength of their animations, advancing to the Final Round held on June 14, 2025.
Judging Criteria and Winners
The final round was judged by both faculty members and student peers, using a structured rubric that included:
- Concept clarity
- Content accuracy
- Understanding of pharmacological mechanisms
Each participant was given 2–3 minutes to present their animated strip. The winners of the event were:
- Winner – Vishal Biswas
- First Runner-up – Aayushi Rana
- Second Runner-up – Bhavya Jain
All participants received certificates of participation, reinforcing the value of their academic effort and creativity.
Leadership Message and Acknowledgements
The event concluded with a thoughtful address by Prof. (Dr.) Prithpal Singh Matreja, Vice Principal and Head of the Department of Pharmacology at TMMC&RC. He emphasised the significance of blending technology with medical education, stating that animated/comic strips improve comprehension, retention, and clinical applicability.
Dr. Matreja expressed his appreciation to both students and the dedicated faculty for making the event a success. He extended special thanks to the Department of Pharmacology team, including:
Dr. Shilpa Patrick, Dr. Preeti Singh, Dr. Meenu Thomas, Dr. Govind Mishra, Dr. Vishnu P. Prabha, Dr. Simranpreet Singh, Dr. Dheeraj P.S., Dr. Manu Arya, Dr. Rohit Sharma, Dr. Farman, Dr. Suhail, Dr. Arun, Dr. Rishika, Dr. Aabid, Dr. Saima, Dr. Arpan Rastogi, and Dr. Animesh Tiwari.
Bridging Education with Innovation
This SDL-based activity not only introduced students to interactive and visual learning tools but also helped nurture essential skills, including communication, teamwork, and analytical thinking, skills crucial for the future of rational pharmacotherapy and patient care. TMU remains committed to advancing medical education through experiential and technology-integrated teaching methodologies.
