Villa College Hosts Inaugural International Medical Education and Research Conference

Villa College concluded its first International Medical Education and Research Conference (IMERC 2025) last week, marking a milestone in advancing healthcare education in the Maldives. 

The conference brought together local and international experts, including Mayo Clinic, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, and Tree Top Hospital, under the theme “Global Knowledge, Local Impact.”

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The event began with pre-conference workshops in Maafushi and Malé, covering dive medicine, point-of-care ultrasound, CPR, research methodology, and physical examination skills. These sessions provided practical training tailored to the Maldives’ island context, combining global expertise with local healthcare needs. The workshops also included community-focused activities on public health, school health, and emergency response.

IMERC 2025 featured a poster competition with thirty-five research projects across clinical research, case studies, and systematic reviews. The main lecture series offered sessions on neurology, sports medicine, internal medicine, dysphagia, dermatology, atrial fibrillation, fibromyalgia, oncologic emergencies, and infection control, connecting cutting-edge research with practical clinical applications.

The closing ceremony recognised contributors and award-winning research, highlighting the conference’s role in strengthening professional skills, fostering international collaboration, and improving healthcare across the Maldivian islands. 

Villa College’s leadership in organising IMERC 2025 demonstrated its commitment to enhancing medical education, research, and patient care in the country.