Davao City, Philippines : In one of the largest graduating cohorts of Indian medical students from a single overseas medical institution in recent years, 1,015 Indian-origin students were awarded Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees at the 25th International Medical Doctors Graduation Ceremony of Davao Medical School Foundation Inc. (DMSF) held in Davao City.

The Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree awarded by DMSF is equivalent to the MBBS degree in India, marking one of the largest cohorts of Indian students graduating from an overseas medical institution in recent years.

Over the years, the Davao Medical School Foundation has emerged as a prominent destination for Indian students seeking medical education abroad. Nearly 12,000 Indian students have graduated from the institution, with many now practicing medicine across India and internationally.

Students graduating this year represent a diverse cross-section of India, with aspiring doctors travelling from across the country to pursue their medical education at DMSF, reflecting the institution’s growing appeal among Indian medical aspirants.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. David Pillai, CEO and Founding Chairman, Transworld Educare, said: “This graduation ceremony marks a proud milestone for the students, their families and the broader ecosystem supporting Indian students pursuing medical education overseas. The Philippines has long been a trusted destination for Indian medical aspirants due to its strong academic standards, English-medium instruction and globally recognised medical training.

Seeing over a thousand Indian students graduate from Davao Medical School Foundation this year reflects the growing aspirations of Indian students seeking quality global medical education and their commitment to strengthening healthcare systems in India and worldwide.”

DMSF has also built a strong academic reputation for its graduates’ performance in the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) — the qualifying examination required for overseas medical graduates seeking to practice medicine in India. Over the past decade, DMSF graduates have consistently featured among top FMGE rankers, reflecting the institution’s robust academic and clinical training.

The Philippines has emerged as an important destination for Indian students pursuing medical education abroad due to several key factors:

  • English-medium medical education, making it accessible for Indian students
  • Strong clinical exposure and hospital-based training
  • Established Indian student community across several medical institutions
  • Relatively affordable education compared to many global destinations

The growing presence of Indian students in Philippine medical universities reflects the strengthening academic engagement between India and the Philippines, particularly in the field of medical education.

Erwin Rommel N. Hontiveros, OIC Dean of Colleges, Davao Medical School Foundation said: “For decades, Davao Medical School Foundation has welcomed Indian students and supported them throughout their journey to becoming skilled medical professionals. The achievements of our graduates, including their performance in the FMGE examination, reflect the strong academic and clinical training provided by the institution.”

The graduation ceremony brought together academic leaders, faculty members, graduating students and their families, celebrating the achievements of Indian medical aspirants and highlighting the growing educational collaboration between India and the Philippines.