A landmark initiative under the Telangana State Private Universities Act aimed at training 30,000+ professionals and serving over 15 lakh individuals in the next decade.
Delhi, Feb 27: In a landmark step toward strengthening India’s rehabilitation and inclusive healthcare infrastructure, St. Mary’s Rehabilitation University (SMRU) has been formally established in Hyderabad under the Telangana State Private Universities Act. Envisioned as India’s first fully integrated Rehabilitation University, SMRU is designed to bridge critical gaps in rehabilitation education, clinical services, research, and workforce development.
At a time when India faces an acute shortage of trained professionals in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, rehabilitation psychology, special education, and allied disciplines, SMRU introduces a unified institutional model that combines academic excellence with clinical depth. The university’s foundation aligns with the constitutional mandate of inclusive growth and the objectives of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPWD Act).
Responding to India’s Growing Rehabilitation Needs
India legally recognizes 21 disabilities, and the demand for rehabilitation services continues to rise due to neurodevelopmental conditions, mental health disorders, rare diseases, age-related impairments, and trauma recovery. Despite this, rehabilitation services across the country remain fragmented, with limited interdisciplinary coordination and uneven geographic access.
SMRU has been conceptualized as a structural and systemic response to this national capacity gap. Rather than operating as a standalone academic institution, the university integrates classroom instruction, hands-on clinical immersion, rural outreach, assistive technology innovation, and human resource development into a cohesive ecosystem.
By aligning with Section 47 of the RPWD Act—which mandates the promotion of disability studies and workforce development—SMRU positions itself as a long-term capacity-building mission rather than merely a degree-granting institution.
A Fully Integrated Clinical and Academic Ecosystem
SMRU distinguishes itself through built-in clinical infrastructure that ensures real-time learning and interdisciplinary exposure. The ecosystem includes:
* A 100-bedded Medical Rehabilitation Hospital
* A 50-bedded Psychiatric Rehabilitation Facility
* A dedicated Special Education School
* Advanced laboratories and simulation-based training environments
Students begin clinical immersion early in their academic journey, fostering collaboration across therapy, psychology, nursing, public health, biomedical sciences, and education.
The purpose-built campus in Hyderabad offers a serene yet technologically advanced academic setting, supporting research, innovation, and patient-centered care.
Academic Architecture Built for the Future
The university’s academic framework spans multiple specialized schools, including:
* School of Rehabilitation Sciences
* School of Prosthetics, Orthotics & Assistive Technologies
* School of Psychology & Clinical Sciences
* School of Special Education
* School of Nursing & Public Health
* School of Rehabilitation Nutrition
* School of Engineering & Biomedical Innovation
SMRU integrates cutting-edge technologies such as AI-enabled diagnostic tools, robotics-assisted rehabilitation, assistive device design, and health informatics systems into its curriculum. This interdisciplinary architecture elevates rehabilitation from a supplementary healthcare service to a strategic pillar within India’s allied health ecosystem.
Projected Impact: Workforce, Access, and Innovation
Over the next decade, SMRU aims to:
* Train more than 30,000 rehabilitation professionals
* Provide clinical and outreach services to 12–15 lakh individuals
* Conduct over 150 rural rehabilitation camps
* Establish district-level outreach units across Telangana
* Drive research output, patents, and assistive technology innovations
The economic contribution of the rehabilitation workforce developed through SMRU is projected to exceed ₹1,000 crore annually, reinforcing both social and economic value creation.
Strengthening Telangana’s Leadership in Inclusive Development
Telangana has consistently positioned itself at the forefront of healthcare and institutional innovation. With SMRU, the state further strengthens its leadership in mental health services, inclusive education, assistive technology, and community-based rehabilitation.
By integrating healthcare delivery, education, and technological advancement within a single university system, SMRU positions Hyderabad as an emerging national hub for rehabilitation sciences and inclusive healthcare innovation.
Redefining Rehabilitation in India
Rehabilitation today is central to restoring functional independence, enabling participation in society, and advancing inclusive development. It is no longer peripheral to healthcare policy—it is foundational to it.
St. Mary’s Rehabilitation University introduces a new institutional model in Indian higher education—one designed to transform rehabilitation from fragmented services into a comprehensive, integrated national capacity system.