This was revealed by its principal Dr A S Sekhon, a former medical superintendent of the Government Rajindra Hospital Patiala and a former registrar of the Baba Farid University of Health sciences. Dr Sekhon took over as principal of the Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital when the institute was in its infancy. Dr Sekhon, who in the city, spoke to Ludhiana Newsline today.

Dr Sekhon said the Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital has become the first institute in the region to introduce an IELTS training programme for nursing students in its College of Nursing. "These courses are optional and any of the nursing students could get training in IELTS or Board of America examination courses. The hospital had engaged separate staff to impart training to the nursing students," he added.

He said that the college had introduced the course for the benefit of the diploma in nursing and the B. Sc. nursing students with a view to training them in English simultaneously even as they continued with their nursing course. This, he said, would enable the students to go abroad on the completion of their nursing training. The institute is also offering training for the examination to be conducted by the Board of America for nursing graduates.

Dr Sekhon said that these courses were optional and any of the nursing students could get training in IELTS or Board of America examination courses. The hospital had engaged separate staff to impart training to the nursing students.