Nursing institute principal in race for Rs 2-cr global award

Dr Sukhpal Kaur, Principal of the National Institute of Nursing Education, PGIMER, has been named among the top 10 finalists for the prestigious Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2025.

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Selected from among 100,000 registrations representing nurses from 199 countries, Dr Kaur stands a chance to win the grand prize of Rs 2 crore, which will be announced in Dubai on May 26.

Dr Sukhpal Kaur has been at the forefront of nursing education, clinical research and healthcare innovation for over 34 years.

Dr Kaur’s contribution spans the development of trilingual educational tools, indigenous cryotherapy techniques for palliative care and nurse-led mobile applications and home-care models that are being widely implemented in both urban hospitals and rural communities across India. She has also pioneered nurse-led clinics in the fields of amputee rehabilitation and oncology care, setting a precedent for specialised and patient-focused services in resource-limited settings.

Even during the Covid pandemic, Dr Kaur continued her academic and clinical leadership, guiding students, publishing research and authoring two books on nursing research that are now integral to nursing curricula in the country. Her interdisciplinary research has received national support from institutions such as the Indian Council of Medical Research, the Department of Science & Technology and the Department of Biology.

The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, now in its fourth edition, celebrates nurses who demonstrate exceptional dedication and impact in their profession.

The finalists were selected following a rigorous evaluation process overseen by an expert and grand jury panel, independently moderated by Ernst & Young LLP to ensure transparency and credibility.

India’s presence in the top 10 has been further strengthened by the inclusion of nurse Vibha Salaliya from the Hospital for Mental Health in Ahmedabad. Along with Dr Sukhpal Kaur, she showcases the strength and innovation of Indian nursing talent on an international stage.