To begin with, on 15 February 2016 the personnel of JIPMER interacted over Video Conferencing using TEIN Network with Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH) South Korea. JIPMER thus became the first centre to use the Telemedicine services for the purpose. The Trans-Eurasia Information Network (TEIN) uses the ICT technologies to increase regional cooperation with Asian countries and to bridge the digital divide of less developed regions. It connects universities and research institutions with high capacity Internet network to increase the exchanges of knowledge among them and make big international research projects real. The students union is the "JIPMER Students Association" (JSA). Representatives of the student body are elected annually in a campus-wide election. A similar, albeit smaller, body exists for the postgraduate students and residents and is called the JIPMER Resident Doctors’ Association (JRDA). JIPMER alumni, especially those who have graduate from the MBBS course, have formed several vibrant alumni communities and organizations. JIPMER has started the work of its second superspeciality block (SSB-II), JIPMER International School of Public-health. JIPMER is partnering with other institutions, including Harvard School of Public Health, to exchange faculty, educational tools, research and data on public health. JIPMER's tie-up with the Harvard School of Public Health is part of the larger MoU between the American medical school and the Indian ministry of health and family welfare. JIPMER has also started the works of offsite hospital in Karaikal. Unnikrishnan 1968 MBBS batch Was awarded the most prestigious Dr BCROY National Award in category of Eminent Medical Teacher by Honourable President of India for year 2016