Amritsar January 20 (Punjab Post Bureau) – Royal College of Physicians founded in 1518 by the Royal Charter from King Henry the VIII. Royal College of Physicians London is the oldest college playing a pivotal role in raising standards and shaping public health. Keeping in view the contribution of Dr. Jaspal Singh Sandhu Vice Chancellor Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar in the field of Sports Medicine he is elected as Fellow of Royal College of Physicians London. He is a pioneer in introducing Sports Medicine and Sports Sciences as a discipline in the university system in 1994 which has now become an independent discipline by the Medical Commission of India. The Department of Sports Medicine established by him became a Centre of excellence in 2004, now recognised by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports as a Gold Standard for education in Sports Sciences and is funded by the Government of India. This is being replicated in 6 other universities in the country. He introduced numerous novel courses like MD in Sports Medicine, Masters in Sports Physiotherapy, Masters in Sports Nutrition and Masters in Sports Psychology etc. He has been advising the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on various aspects of Sports Sciences by helping in establishing the National Institute of Sports Manipur and upgradation of various Sports Sciences facilities in the country. The decision to award him the fellowship is the recognition of his important contribution to the Medical Profession. FRCP is considered as a mark of excellence for physicians. Dr. Sandhu has various firsts to his credit being the first Professor of Sports Medicine in the country, first Punjabi in the country to be Secretary, University Grants Commission and an administrator who ensured that Guru Nanak Dev University develops in holistic manner which has been adequately recognised by third party assessment and accreditation by National Assessment and Accreditation Council with a score of 3.85 out of 4.00 the highest among all universities in the country.
University fraternity congratulated Prof. Sandhu on this achievement.