Neeraj Raj

Neeraj Raj is a Doctor by education, artist, animation expert and IT entrepreneur. He is the founder of the e-learning company MEdRC EduTech Ltd. Neeraj Raj graduated from Osmania Medical College (under Osmania University) in 1987, where he studied undergraduate medicine (M.B.B.S.), there-after diversifying into multimedia and e-learning creation.

Neeraj Raj was born on 17 March 1965 at Hyderabad (India) into a family of doctors (Father: Dr. Shyam Raj, Mother: Dr. Alakananda Raj). Early schooling was at prestigious institutions such as Hyderabad Public School (Begumpet) and Vidyaranya School. For a brief period, Neeraj Raj stayed at Glasgow (Scotland) while his father completed Post-graduate course in Medicine.

Neeraj Raj showed an early inclination towards art and underwent various art-education classes, eventually enrolling in classes run by artist "Ambadas Mahurkar". Neeraj Raj was fascinated by challenges posed by water-colours as a medium and chose to focus on it. A selection of his works is available on Flickr.

Neeraj Raj qualified in Engineering and Medicine Common Entrance Test (EAMCET) conducted by Govt. of Andhra Pradesh and joined Osmania Medical College (associated with Osmania University, Hyderabad).

Neeraj Raj graduated in 1987 achieving distinctions in several subjects, 3 gold medals and the award of "Best Outgoing Student of the Year".

After graduation, Neeraj Raj started offering graphics design services to his professors, drawing medical imagery a pixel at a time. After completion, he would take a photograph of the screen The pictures were sold to the teachers at the medical colleges for use in class. The colourful and detailed imagery offered a vastly improved experience to the students and time-saving convenience to the teacher.

He formed "MediComs" (abbreviation of Medical Communications) as a proprietorship firm to offer this service commercially facing burgeoning demand.

With the advent of faster computers and improved software, he started offering additional services such as digital presentations and custom publishing for medical teachers interested in offering better learning experience to students. MEdRC (abbreviation of Medical Education Research Center) was formed as a Private Limited company and all clients and services from MediComs were migrated to this company.

In 1995, Neeraj Raj formed DNMS (abbreviation of Dr. Neeraj's Multimedia Studios), a private limited company to foray into emerging world of computer based 2D and 3D animation, multimedia presentations and e-learning.

DNMS was eventually acquired by Sriven Infotech Ltd. which used reverse-merging to form Sriven MultiTech Ltd. (a publicly held company). The company offered 2D and 3D animation services on an outsourcing model to studios around the world.

In 2003, he formed MEdRC EduTech Ltd. (a deemed limited company) which started offering e-learning products under the "SmarTeach" brand to students of medicine in India.

Neeraj Raj married Rashmi Chandra in 1991 and lives at Hyderabad (India) with their two children. Among his other interests are Painting and Photography.

In 2008, Neeraj Raj / MEdRC EduTech were awarded the Manthan Award and received citation for most innovating e-learning product of the year.

Neeraj Raj was awarded the Vaidyashree award for outstanding contributions to medical education.

Neeraj Raj's contribution to the 29th Annual Scientific Congress conducted by University of Alexandria (Faculty of Medicine) was appreciated with a certificate and memento.

He was featured as an “Indian Genius” in The Week Magazine during their anniversary issue.