Vision Forward: Student-Led Eye Care Reaching the Last Mile in Rural Odisha

About

Centurion University’s Vision Care Camps programme (initiated in 2023) is a structured, student-led healthcare model embedded in academic learning, delivering decentralised eye care to underserved communities across Odisha. Optometry students lead 120+ camps across 120 locations, reaching 26,841 individuals and distributing 20,246 spectacles, with ~3,000 annual referrals (~11%) for advanced care. Guided by faculty, students conduct screenings, diagnose conditions and engage directly with patients through static camps and a mobile Healthcare on Wheels unit. This immersive approach transforms students into frontline care providers, strengthening clinical skills, empathy and adaptability. By integrating service with curriculum, the programme fosters student ownership, deepens experiential learning and expands access to essential eye care. It demonstrates how meaningful student engagement can simultaneously enhance education, improve community health outcomes and deliver scalable, sustainable impact. 

Top 3 learnings

1. We learned students thrive as frontline providers when entrusted with real community responsibility. 
2. We learned community-based care builds empathy, adaptability and deeper learning than classroom training. 
3. We learned student-led models can expand access while strengthening skills and community trust.

What it means to win 

Winning the International Green Gown Award would be a powerful recognition of our belief that meaningful student engagement can transform both education and society. For Centurion University, it would validate a model where students are not passive learners but active leaders, delivering essential eye care to underserved communities while developing the competence, compassion and confidence to become responsible healthcare professionals. This recognition would celebrate the collective efforts of our students, faculty, healthcare partners, CSR supporters and community members who have worked together to restore vision, dignity and opportunity for thousands of people across rural Odisha. Since 2023, our Vision Care Camps have reached more than 26,800 individuals through over 120 camps, demonstrating that universities can simultaneously improve learning outcomes and address critical societal challenges. Winning would also amplify the importance of experiential, curriculum-integrated learning. It would reinforce that students develop their greatest leadership, empathy and professional judgement when entrusted with real responsibility and supported through structured mentorship. This acknowledgement would inspire more institutions to adopt similar models that combine academic excellence with measurable community impact. The award would strengthen our ability to build new partnerships, expand outreach to more remote and underserved communities, and scale this evidence-based approach nationally and internationally. Most importantly, it would give greater visibility to the communities we serve and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that quality healthcare and meaningful education reach those who need them most. For Centurion University, winning is not the finish line—it is an opportunity to inspire others, deepen our impact, and demonstrate that higher education can be a driving force for health equity, student leadership and sustainable development.

Judges' feedback

The project supports multiple SDGs and solves a real-world problem in India: access to quality healthcare. Large-scale, student-led healthcare delivery with benefits for underserved communities demonstrating strong leadership. Clearly evidenced sustained and impressive community impact. The project integrates service learning and achieves high graduate employability. Great example of 'learning by doing'. Very high success rate covering a range of demographics: across elderly and prevention / early detection of eye problems in the young. This project has statewide reach and is highly commended by partners, stakeholders and students. Clear alignment with student engagement, leadership and employer benefits. Access to remote regions is particularly commendable. Strategic partnerships in place for long term sustainability, replication and scaling up.

Sustainable Development Goals