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 among 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. Student life Student’s union 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). Alumni groups JIPMER alumni, especially those who have graduate from the MBBS course, have formed several alumni communities and organizations. The largest is an online virtual community called Jipmernet where alumni from all over the globe are active participants. The oldest alumni organization is the JIPMER Alumni Association (JAA) that organizes an annual meet the first weekend of August at JIPMER that is attended by alumni from India and abroad. Regional alumni organizations include the JIPMER Alumni Association of North America (JAANA), the JIPMER Alumni Association of the United Kingdom (JAAUK) and the JIPMER Alumni Association of North India (JAANI). Alumni Paramasivam Natarajan, photochemist, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (1984) awardee K R Balakrishnan, heart surgeon, performed the first permanent artificial heart transplant in India with HeartMate II LVAD See also List of medical colleges in India List of medical schools Medical college in India Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences References External links Medical and health sciences universities in India Medical colleges in Puducherry Universities and colleges in Pondicherry (city) Research institutes in Puducherry Medical Council of India Medical research institutes in India Regional Cancer Centres in India Educational institutions established in 1823 1823 establishments in India Academic institutions formerly affiliated with the University of Madras 1820s establishments in French India Educational institutions established in 1964 Research institutes established in 1964 1964 establishments in Pondicherry