MAHE, Manipal Foundation and KITES Senior Care Launch Industry-Academia Partnership to Build India’s Future Geriatric Care Workforce
Manipal : In a significant step towards strengthening India’s healthcare workforce for an ageing population, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), the Manipal Foundation and KITES Senior Care, the geriatric care specialist brand of Lifebridge Group, today launched a pioneering industry-academia partnership through the inauguration of the Certificate Course in Geriatric and Palliative Care for Caregivers under MAHE’s Multi Skilled Worker (MSW) Programme. The programme was inaugurated at Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE, in the presence of senior academic and healthcare leaders.
Marking an important milestone, the first cohort of 20 caregiver trainees formally commenced the programme today. These students represent the beginning of a new generation of professionally trained caregivers who will combine compassionate care with structured clinical skills to meet the growing needs of India’s ageing population.
Designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world clinical practice, the programme combines five weeks of classroom education at MAHE with seven weeks of structured internship at KITES Senior Care centres. Students will receive supervised practical training in geriatric and palliative care before being assessed and certified by MAHE, creating a strong pathway to employment in one of healthcare’s fastest-growing sectors.
The initiative addresses India’s growing need for skilled caregivers by creating a professional, employment-oriented pathway that integrates academic excellence with experiential learning. It also reflects the shared commitment of MAHE, the Manipal Foundation and KITES Senior Care to building a future-ready healthcare workforce while elevating the standards and dignity of the caregiving profession.
Looking ahead, the partners envision scaling this programme across multiple cities in India through similar industry-academia collaborations. Supporting this vision, KITES Senior Care is also set to establish a dedicated caregiver training centre in Kolkata, creating a strong talent pipeline for the senior care sector. This expansion reflects a shared commitment to developing a future-ready workforce capable of meeting the evolving healthcare needs of India’s ageing population.
Dr. Reema Nadig. Co-founder, Director & Group COO, Lifebridge Group said, “India’s ageing population calls for a new generation of professionally trained caregivers who combine clinical competence with compassion. Through this partnership, we are not merely launching a course—we are creating a pathway to professionalise caregiving, build meaningful careers and ensure that every older adult receives dignified, person-centred care. We hope this model inspires similar collaborations across the country.”
Mr. Rajagopal G, Co-founder & Group CEO, Lifebridge Group said, “Quality elder care begins with quality people. By combining MAHE’s academic excellence with KITES’ clinical expertise in out-of-hospital senior care, we are creating a workforce equipped for the evolving needs of ageing India. This partnership reflects our long-term commitment to building capability, improving care standards and making caregiving a respected profession.”
Major General (Dr.) Mathews Jacob, Pro Vice Chancellor – Health Sciences, MAHE said, “Healthcare education must continually evolve to meet emerging societal needs. As India’s demographic profile changes, preparing a skilled workforce in geriatric and palliative care has become a national priority. We are delighted to partner with KITES Senior Care and the Manipal Foundation in delivering an industry-integrated programme that combines academic learning with practical experience, enabling our learners to make a meaningful contribution to healthcare delivery.”
Mr. Harinarayan Sharma, CEO, Manipal Foundation said, “Building a compassionate healthcare workforce requires strong partnerships between academia, industry and the social sector. This initiative exemplifies how such collaborations can create meaningful career opportunities while addressing a critical societal need. We are pleased to support a programme that not only develops skilled caregivers but also contributes to improving the quality of life for older adults across India.”
