MCON Research and Innovation Day 2025 was organised by The Institute of Eminence (IOE), Pillar II: Exemplary Research and Innovation team of Manipal College of Nursing (MCON), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, on 25 October 2025. The Chief Guest for the inaugural program was Dr Raviraja N. S., Senior Director Research, Directorate of Research, Professor and Head, Manipal Centre for Biotherapeutics Research, Dr TMA Pai Endowment Chair in Stem Cell Research and Therapeutics, MAHE. In his keynote address, Dr. Raviraja N.S. emphasised the pivotal role of research in shaping the legacy and growth of Manipal. He encouraged emerging scholars to harness the robust research ecosystem at MAHE, urging them to pursue innovative ideas and build impactful careers grounded in scientific inquiry and discovery.

Dr Binu Margaret, Assistant Professor- Selection Grade, Department of Child Health Nursing, and the Convener, welcomed all the dignitaries, faculty, PhD scholars, and students, setting a gracious tone for the event. Dr. Tessy Treesa Jose, Associate Dean and Pillar II Head, gave an overview of the Research and Innovation Day 2025. Dr Judith A Noronha, Dean and Professor, MCON, Manipal, inspired young researchers to embrace innovative thinking and become catalysts for advancing nursing research and excellence.

Dr Rama Rao Damerla, Associate Professor, Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, MAHE, provided an informative session on CSR Opportunities and grant writing. He shared practical strategies for securing research funding and highlighted emerging start-up avenues that could empower both students and faculty to translate their innovations into impactful ventures.

The session on “Scientific Writing: A Pathway to Publish” was deliberated by Dr N Vasudeva Ballal, Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, MCODS, Manipal, MAHE. Dr. Ballal provided a comprehensive walkthrough of effective and creative strategies for manuscript preparation, emphasising clarity, structure, and the nuances of impactful scientific communication.

Innovative ideas and Research poster presentation competitions were conducted for students. A total of 16 groups presented their innovative ideas, which were evaluated by Dr Chithra A, Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, MCODS, MAHE, Manipal, and Dr S Varadarajan, Deputy Director, Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office, and Associate Professor, MIT, MAHE, Manipal. The award for the best innovative ideas was bagged by Mr Tathagata Konar and Dr Sushmitha R. Karkada; Ms Riya Marita D’Souza, Ms. Tshering Youden, Ms Tenzin Kunsel, and Ms. Mitchelle Shilpa Lewis; and Ms Sarah Ruth Zachariah, Ms Jomit Grace Jinu, Ms Mareena V. Jomichan, Ms Yashodha, and Dr Shalini Ganesh Nayak.

A total of 20 groups competed for the best Research poster presentation, which was evaluated by Dr. Leena Sequeira, Principal of Manipal School of Nursing, MAHE, and Dr. Shashidhara Y N, Professor and Head of Community Health Nursing, MCON, MAHE. The best poster presentation was awarded to Ms Angel Mary Biju, Mr Midhun S Nair, Mr Arnold Mokshit Ammanna, Ms Simmy Elizabeth Baby, Ms Jemimah James David, Preethi Immanuel, Ms Adithya Gireesh, Ms Annette Shibu, and Ms Joshna Jose.

A research-based quiz competition was held for the postgraduates and PhD Scholars of MCON, MAHE, Manipal, by Dr Anil Raj A, Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, MCON, MAHE, Manipal. Five teams participated, and the First Prize was awarded to the team comprising Ms. Rintu Thomas, Ms Amitha Rodrigues, and Ms Yaramanedi Manisha.

Vote of thanks was proposed by Ms. Mitchelle Shilpa Lewis, Co-convenor, Lecturer, Department of Fundamentals of Nursing, MCON, MAHE, Manipal, and the program was compered by Ms Meghana Pandit, PhD Scholar, Department of Child Health Nursing, MCON, MAHE, Manipal.