Mangaluru: The Department of Biochemistry at Father Muller Medical College (FMMC) successfully hosted the 10th edition of its national-level intercollegiate quiz, Scintilla-10, for first-year MBBS students on 24 May 2025, reaffirming its growing stature in medical academic circles.
A decade of academic excellence
The event was inaugurated by Dr Vivian D’Souza, Professor of Biochemistry at Kanachur Institute of Medical Sciences. Notably, Dr D’Souza has been associated with Scintilla since its inception, having inaugurated both the 1st and 9th editions. Drawing on over three decades of teaching experience, he praised the event’s rigorous standards, strong organisation, and academic relevance. He applauded the Team Biochemistry of FMMC for maintaining high-quality execution year after year.
The programme was presided over by Rev. Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, Director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI). He congratulated the Biochemistry Department for turning Scintilla into a national academic brand associated with FMMC.
Other dignitaries present on the dais included Rev. Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director-Designate of FMCI; Dr Antony Sylvan D’Souza, Dean of FMMC; Dr Maitreyee DS, Professor and Head of the Department of Biochemistry; and Dr Shivashankara AR, Professor of Biochemistry and Organising Secretary. Faculty members from various medical colleges, including FMMC, also attended.
Pan-India participation with 54 teams
Scintilla-10 witnessed pan-India participation, with 54 teams from medical colleges across the country. After a preliminary written round, 12 teams advanced to the semifinals. Of these, the top 6 teams qualified for the final round.
The quiz format included a wide variety of rounds—multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks, sequencing, visual-based rounds, hints, rapid-fire, and story and case-based clinical questions, making it both engaging and academically challenging.
Top honours for AIIMS Mangalagiri
The final round was hotly contested, but it was the team from AIIMS Mangalagiri that emerged as the champions of Scintilla-10. Bellary Medical College secured the first runner-up position, while the host institution, FMMC, claimed the second runner-up spot.
The success of Scintilla-10 underlined FMMC’s commitment to nurturing medical talent through innovative platforms. It also reflected the collaborative efforts of its faculty in bringing national recognition to the institution’s academic initiatives.
