MAHE Introduces Scuba School and Marena Boulder for Adventure Enthusiasts
Manipal, April 26, 2023: The world is full of adventure and excitement, but sometimes we need to learn new skills to experience it fully. That’s where the Manipal Scuba School and Marena Boulder come in.
Kasturba Hospital and Kasturba Medical College, in partnership with the Centre for Wilderness Medicine, have launched the first Scuba diving school at a university in India – Manipal Scuba School – and a sport climbing wall – Marena Boulder.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Dr. HS Ballal, Pro Chancellor of MAHE, Dr. MD Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor of MAHE, and Dr. Sharath Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor, along with Dr. Arun Maiya, Dean of MCPH, Dr. Anil Bhat, Associate Dean of KMC Manipal, Dr. Anand Venugopal, Chief Operating Officer of the Teaching Hospital, and Dr. Avinash Shetty.
Manipal SCUBA School is the first of its kind in the region to offer scuba diving instruction to medical professionals, students, and enthusiasts at a university in India. The school boasts state-of-the-art facilities and offers courses ranging from beginner to advanced levels, all of which are recognized by the international Scuba School International. Upon certification, students will be able to dive anywhere in the world.
“We are proud to launch the Manipal Scuba School and Marena Boulder, which will provide medical professionals and students with the opportunity to learn scuba diving and bouldering while acquiring essential skills in wilderness medicine for emergency responders and researchers in the field,” said Dr. HS Ballal at the launch.
Dr. MD Venkatesh added, “The Centre for Wilderness Medicine has been at the forefront of this field’s training and research. With the opening of the Manipal Scuba School and Marena Boulder, we hope to reinforce our commitment to advancing medical education and research in Wilderness Medicine.”
Dr. Sharath Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor of Manipal University, expressed pride in partnering with the Centre for Wilderness Medicine, Kasturba Hospital, and Kasturba Medical College in this initiative. “Their expertise and experience in wilderness medicine and environmental conservation will be invaluable in providing a comprehensive and holistic learning experience to our students,” he said.
Dr. Freston Marc Sirur, Emergency Department Assistant Professor, introduced the Manipal Scuba School and Marena Boulder as safe environments for learning these sports through structured and mentored courses, while Dr. Jayaraj M B, Emergency Department Head, expressed gratitude.
The Manipal Scuba School Marena Boulder is open to anyone interested in learning scuba diving and sport climbing through structured courses, which will be announced from time to time. It provides a unique opportunity to explore the undersea world while also acquiring vital first response medical skills.
