The selection of these innovative thinkers follows a global initiative that attracted scores of applicants from ten countries, namely Belgium, Egypt, India, Italy, Nepal, Romania, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the USA.

The inaugural cohort of eight ‘Vattikuti Explorers’ program will attend the Jr Orsi’s Summer School in Ghent, Belgium, between August 19-21, 2024. The 3-day intensive open and robotic basic surgical training program will be conducted by eight medical experts with exposure to a range of robotic systems.

The ‘Vattikuti Explorers’ include Yashi Singh from MGM Medical College, Navi Mumbai; Sanjana Mahesh from JIPMER, Karaikal, India; and Julio Yanes from the University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.

Five ‘Vattikuti Explorers’ from Europe are Maryam Imran from University College London and Raghav Khanna from King’s College London, both from the UK; Ilario Slaverio of the University of Padua, Padua, Italy; Margherita Ciabattini from Saint Raphael Hospital (Ospedale San Raffaele), Milan, Italy; and Alexandru Duda from Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

The selection is based on expression of interest in research, innovation, and use of modern technology and a strong desire to advance the world of medicine and surgery.

According to Dr Mahendra Bhandari, CEO, Vattikuti Foundation, “The program provides young Explorers a valuable platform to build global connections and broaden their perspectives. Typically, opportunities to exchange ideas and learn best practices from different regions come much later in their careers.

“Through this program, the Explorers will have a unique opportunity to connect with established robotic surgeons who are eager to mentor them on a one-to-one basis while also helping them expand their professional networks,” said Dr Bhandari.

The Explorers will be exposed to the basics of robotic surgery, surgery training on different robotic systems, as well as basic surgical skill tasks and high-quality lectures. They will also experience a wet lab to gain hands-on practice with real tissues, simulation of real scenarios, mastery of systems, error management, skill assessment, and team coordination.

The expanded list of Vattikuti Explorers invited to attend the second in-person learning opportunity is the Vattikuti Foundation’s KS International Innovation Awards and the ‘Humans at the Cutting Edge of Robotic Surgery’ symposium in Jaipur in February 2025. This event will feature presentations by global experts in robotic surgery. Explorers will compete in a competition to solve a healthcare issue, and top finalists will present their findings at the symposium.

Top winners of the competition, Vattikuti Innovators Challenge 2024, will have a chance to win cash prizes by demonstrating their cognitive and non-cognitive traits.