Media Release
Mangaluru, Nov 1: Dr Ashwini Shetty from Mangaluru has been conferred the prestigious District Kannada Rajyotsava Award in recognition of her remarkable contributions to medical service, community welfare, and youth empowerment. It is a moment of immense pride for Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) as Dr Ashwini Shetty, director of extension and outreach, has been conferred the prestigious District Kannada Rajyotsava Award.
The award ceremony was held on November 1 at Nehru Maidan, Mangaluru, as part of the official Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations. The event was graced by distinguished dignitaries including minister for health and family welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao, member of parliament Brijesh Chowta, MLA Vedavyas Kamath, MLC Ivan D’Souza, and deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada Darshan, among others.
With an inspiring journey spanning 17 years at Yenepoya University, Dr Shetty has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between medicine and community service. As a professor in the department of Anatomy, Yenepoya Medical College, she has seamlessly merged academic excellence with social responsibility, transforming classrooms into platforms for compassion, awareness, and change.
Her initiatives have touched countless lives from educating women on reproductive and preventive health to spreading awareness about cancer prevention and early detection. She has also played a key role in a Government-funded project on tribal Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) screening, reaching some of the most underserved and remote communities.
A firm believer that “young minds are the torchbearers of change,” Dr Shetty has been a passionate advocate for youth leadership and civic engagement. As the Programme Coordinator of the National Service Scheme (NSS), she has empowered students to go beyond academics and engage meaningfully with society. Under her leadership, students have actively contributed to initiatives such as Granthamitra, school adoption programmes, health awareness campaigns, and entrepreneurship development projects, cultivating a generation of socially conscious and community-oriented youth.
Her tireless efforts and visionary leadership continue to strengthen Yenepoya University’s mission of “Education for Transformation.”
She extended heartfelt thanks to the University leadership hon’ble chancellor Dr Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, pro-chancellor Farhaad Yenepoya, vice-chancellor Dr M Vijayakumar, registrar Dr K S Gangadhara Somayaji, and pro vice-chancellor Dr Sripath Rao for their constant encouragement and support.
Dr Ashwini Shetty’s journey stands as a shining example of how education, empathy, and leadership can come together to build a healthier, stronger, and more empowered nation.