Manipal University Former Vice-Chancellor B M Hegde on 28th June said that the biggest challenge doctors face was keeping abreast with the advances in the medical field.

Every month seven per cent new knowledge was adding to the medical field and any one not in tune with the change for even six months would find himself out of place, Prof Hegde said in his convocation address at the Apollo Medical College in Hyderabad. Doctors must always strive to be abreast, he further said.

According to Prof Hegde, To be a doctor was a privilege, honour and a rare opportunity, therefore ensure you do your best by professional standards to keep up the esteem of the medical community and make your alma mater proud of you. The second batch of Medical Graduates (batch of 2013) from The Apollo Medical College, passed out and received their degrees at the Convocation ceremony. The medical graduates were administered the Hippocratic Oath on the occasion and meritorious students were felicitated with medals.

The Chairman Dr Prathap C Reddy Gold Medal for the Best Outgoing Student of the College, was presented to Dr Divya Sudireddy, who also bagged five gold medals for her consistent academic brilliance, all through the MBBS course. Prof Hegde and Apollo Hospitals Senior Consultant Raghupathi Rao Nandanavanam, who was the guest of honour at the event, presented the MBBS Degree Certificates to 94 graduate students at the Apollo Medical College's second convocation ceremony. Also present on the occasion were Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Dean Dilip Mathai and Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Medical Superintendent Prof Krishna Kumari.