NEW DELHI: Academically Global, a healthcare education and career transformation platform founded by Australia-trained healthcare educator Dr Akram Ahmad, has announced 100% placement success for the inaugural batch of its flagship non-clinical healthcare upskilling programmes, providing a new career pathway for doctors, dentists, pharmacists and AYUSH graduates seeking high-growth opportunities beyond traditional clinical practice.
The achievement comes at a time when India faces a growing paradox in healthcare employment. While the country continues to discuss shortages in healthcare professionals, thousands of qualified MBBS, BDS, PharmD and AYUSH graduates struggle with underemployment, limited government vacancies and stagnant career growth.
Academically Global’s first graduating batch successfully completed specialized executive programme in Clinical Drug Development and Medical Affairs, designed to prepare healthcare professionals for careers in Clinical Trials, Pharmacovigilance, Drug Safety, Medical Affairs, and Medical Science Liaison (MSL). These functions are witnessing growing demand from pharmaceutical companies, clinical research organizations (CROs), and global capability centres (GCCs) operating in India. According to the company, every graduate from the inaugural cohort secured employment opportunities upon programme completion.
“Many healthcare graduates believe their degree is the problem when they are unable to find meaningful career opportunities. Our experience shows that the challenge is often a lack of awareness, direction and industry-ready skills,” said Dr Akram Ahmad, Founder of Academically Global. “Healthcare education prepares students clinically, but rarely exposes them to the fast-growing non-clinical sectors where their expertise is highly valued. Our mission is to bridge that gap.”
Global Academic Leaders Support the Initiative
The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Rajesh Balkrishnan, Professor of Public Health at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and one of the world’s leading social epidemiologists. Certificates were presented to the first graduating cohort by Professor Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar, Professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Practice at Qatar University, who presided over the graduation ceremony. Both serve as Academic Advisors to Academically Global and have contributed to the development of its industry-focused curriculum.
Dr. Rajesh Balkrishnan (USA) and Dr. Akram Ahmad (Australia) at the Academically Global campus in Dehradun during the inauguration of the company’s industry-focused healthcare upskilling programmes. The visit also marked their first in-person meeting in nearly a decade and highlighted the growing global academic collaborations supporting healthcare workforce development.
“As the healthcare industry evolves, continuous professional development and industry-relevant skills are becoming essential for healthcare professionals. Programmes that bridge the gap between academic training and industry requirements can play an important role in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals.” -Dr. Rajesh Balkrishnan
Professor Babar added, “Pharmaceutical sectors are evolving rapidly, creating new opportunities for professionals with the right combination of scientific knowledge, industry awareness, and practical skills. Programmes that help bridge the gap between academic education and industry expectations can play an important role in helping professionals access these emerging opportunities.”
From Overseas Licensing to Domestic Career Success
Founded in 2022, Academically Global initially focused on helping healthcare professionals prepare for international licensing examinations and overseas opportunities. After supporting more than 10,000 healthcare graduates through international career pathways, the company identified a significant unmet need: enabling healthcare professionals to build rewarding careers within India itself.
To address this gap, the company launched two intensive four-month executive programmes:
- Executive Programme in Clinical Drug Development
- Executive Programme in Medical Affairs & Medical Science Liaison (MSL)
The programmes combine industry training, mentorship from experts and structured career support through Jobslly.in, India’s first ever healthcare-focused employment platform.
Graduates Secure High-Growth Career Opportunities
According to Academically Global, graduates from the first batch have transitioned into roles across pharmacovigilance, drug safety, medical affairs, medical science liaison (MSL), clinical research, regulatory affairs and medical writing.
Pharmacists who are overworked and underpaid are now employed in well-known pharma and CRO companies with salaries between 8 LPA and 15 LPA. Medical doctors have successfully transitioned to MSL and Drug Safety roles with a whopping salary of up to 32 LPA in MNCs.
Meeting Industry Demand for Clinically Trained Talent
As India’s pharmaceutical industry continues to expand and multinational organizations increase investment in healthcare knowledge services, demand for clinically trained professionals in non-clinical functions is growing steadily.
Healthcare graduates possess strong foundations in pharmacology, therapeutics, patient care and research methodologies, making them highly suitable for roles in drug development, safety monitoring, medical communications and regulatory functions. Industry stakeholders increasingly view such candidates as strategic hires rather than alternative talent pools.
Building Careers at Home
Academically Global believes India’s healthcare graduates require greater visibility into emerging career opportunities that extend beyond conventional clinical practice. By combining practical industry training with placement support, the company aims to help healthcare professionals unlock career paths that align with evolving industry needs.
“The opportunities are there,” said Dr Ahmad. “Our goal is to ensure healthcare graduates have the skills, confidence and guidance needed to access them.”
