Kattankulathur (Tamil Nadu) [India], March 18: “Cultural competency is not a soft skill; it’s the foundation of truly patient-centred healthcare,” stated Dr. Jothi Clara Micheal, Founder of Healthbridge and former Country Director of Nursing at Gleneagles Hospitals, India, during the inauguration of the 1st International Conference on Cultural Competence in Nursing – Embracing Diversity for Global Health Equity, held by SRM College of Nursing at SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST).
The conference commenced on March 17, 2026, at the Hippocrates Auditorium within the SRM Medical College Campus in Kattankulathur. Nursing faculty, healthcare professionals, researchers, and students gathered to discuss the significance of cultural competence in nursing education and patient care. Registrations came from various regions across the country, including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, Jaipur, Jammu, AIIMS Patna, and Odisha, showcasing its extensive national reach.
In her felicitation address, Prof. Dr. R. Jayanthi, Dean (Medical) at SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, remarked, “Nursing today goes beyond treatment; it is about understanding people. Guided by Tiruvalluvar’s four pillars of healing, the patient, the treating doctor, the medicine, and the nurse and other supporting staff, nurses connect care with compassion, culture, and communication to deliver equitable healthcare for all.”
Prof. (Dr.) Helen Shaji J. C., Dean of SRM College of Nursing, emphasized, “Cultural competence in nursing is the need of the hour. It enables nurses to deliver respectful, inclusive care across diverse cultures, bridge gaps in access, and advance global health equity.”
In her keynote address, Prof. Shauna Houk, University Teaching Fellow and Associate Director for Undergraduate Studies Academics at Dalhousie University, Canada, stated, “When knowledge is shared, healthcare evolves. In these spaces of collective learning, nurses remain at the frontline, driving care with compassion, skill, and a deep commitment to equity and justice.”
Prof. Ruth Martin-Misener, Director of the School of Nursing and Assistant Dean (Research) at Dalhousie University, Canada, noted, “Research is not just discovery; it is about understanding people, cultures, and context. True global health equity begins when research is inclusive, reflective, and shaped with the people it serves.”
During the event, dignitaries released the conference souvenir. The conference featured lectures and research presentations centered on cultural competence in nursing practice and healthcare delivery.
Conducted in a hybrid format, the conference included sessions led by both national and international speakers, addressing key themes related to cultural competence, healthcare education, and contemporary nursing practice.
ABOUT SRM
SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST-KTR) is a multidisciplinary university recognized with an A++ accreditation by NAAC and classified as a Category I university with 12B status by UGC/MoE. In the 2025 NIRF rankings, SRMIST achieved the 11th position nationally and holds a global ‘4 Star’ rating from QS, along with the India-centric QS IGAUGE Diamond rating.
Driven by a commitment to academic excellence, research innovation, and a global outlook, SRMIST-KTR has established itself as one of India’s most vibrant knowledge ecosystems.
SRMIST operates six campuses located in Kattankulathur and Acharapakkam (Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu), Ramapuram and Ramapuram Part (Vadapalani) in Chennai, Tiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu), Modi Nagar in NCR New Delhi, Sonepat (Haryana), Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh), and Gangtok (Sikkim). More information can be found at www.srmist.edu.in.
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