"Every student who walks through our process is not just an admission—they are a responsibility."
Behind every successful international student is someone who quietly ensures that the journey is smoother, safer, and less overwhelming.
Medicine is often described as a profession of care. Yet, long before students wear a white coat or step into a hospital ward, they need someone who cares for them as individuals.
For Indian students travelling thousands of kilometres away from home to pursue their medical education in the Philippines, that support often comes in the form of one familiar name—Mr. Kiruba Gnanaraj Diraviaraj, popularly known as Kiruba Raj.
As the Founder of YourPLTCI and the Head of International Student Services at PLTCI College of Medicine, his role extends far beyond admissions. Over the past thirteen years, he has become a mentor, counsellor, problem solver, and trusted point of contact for hundreds of Indian students and their families.
His work is not measured by the number of admissions processed but by the relationships he has built and the confidence he has inspired.
Image source: PLTCI
A Vision Born Out of a Gap in International Education
When Mr. Kiruba Raj founded YourPLTCI, he wasn't trying to create another overseas admission consultancy. He was trying to solve a problem.
For years, many Indian students pursuing medical education abroad had to rely on intermediaries who often disappeared after the admission process. Families were left dealing with hidden costs, limited communication, and little support once students reached a foreign country.
Mr. Kiruba Raj wanted to change that experience.
As he explains, "When I established YourPLTCI, my singular goal was simple—to give every Indian medical aspirant a fair, transparent, and supported path to pursuing medicine at PLTCI College of Medicine, Philippines."
That vision continues to define YourPLTCI today. Rather than functioning as an independent agency, it serves as a direct institutional platform, allowing students and parents to communicate with the college through a dedicated support system from the very beginning.
Image source: Indian Sports Academy
Support Doesn't End with Admission
For many organisations, admission is the final destination. For Mr. Kiruba Raj, it is only the beginning.
From the moment students receive their admission letter, they begin navigating visa applications, travel arrangements, accommodation, adapting to a new culture, and settling into an unfamiliar academic environment.
Questions don't stop after enrolment—they multiply. Instead of stepping away once students arrive in the Philippines, Mr. Kiruba Raj continues to remain actively involved throughout their academic journey.
Whether it is helping students understand university procedures, assisting with documentation, resolving administrative concerns, or simply checking on how they are adjusting, his support remains consistent.
A Familiar Face in a Foreign Country
Studying abroad can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Homesickness often arrives sooner than expected. A missed festival with family, an illness, academic pressure, and moments of self-doubt are experiences almost every international student goes through.
Having someone physically present makes a remarkable difference.
Unlike representatives who visit campuses occasionally, Mr. Kiruba Raj has been living in the Philippines for over 13 years and holds a Philippine Resident Visa. More importantly, he is available on campus almost every day, making him one of the most accessible support figures for international students at PLTCI.
Students know they don't have to wait for an appointment or send unanswered emails. They know where to find him. And sometimes, that simple reassurance is enough.
Image source: PLTCI Students
A Mentor Beyond Academics
Success in medical school isn't determined by academics alone. Students also navigate emotional challenges, financial pressures, cultural adjustments, and the responsibility of living independently for the first time.
Mr. Kiruba Raj understands that every student carries a different story. Some need guidance, some need encouragement, and some simply need someone willing to listen.
Over the years, he has supported students through periods of homesickness, anxiety, personal setbacks, and family emergencies. Rather than offering generic advice, he approaches every situation with patience, empathy, and understanding.
For parents back home, knowing that someone is looking after their child with genuine care offers a level of reassurance that no admission brochure can provide.
Leading With Compassion During Difficult Times
True leadership is revealed not in moments of ease, but in times of uncertainty. Mr. Kiruba Raj believes that the first step to solving any problem is listening—understanding every perspective before taking action.
The COVID-19 pandemic became one of the greatest tests of this approach. As borders closed, travel restrictions intensified, and uncertainty gripped families, hundreds of international students found themselves far from home, worried about their health, education, and loved ones.
During this challenging period, Mr. Kiruba Raj chose to remain alongside his students. He stayed in the boys' hostel, personally overseeing their well-being and ensuring they never felt abandoned.
From arranging essential supplies and addressing day-to-day concerns to maintaining constant communication with parents back home, he worked tirelessly to reassure both students and their families. His presence brought stability during a time when fear and uncertainty were widespread.
His compassion also extended to families facing financial hardship. A student from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, who later secured an impressive score of 208 in the FMGE on her very first attempt, recalls how the pandemic severely affected her family's livelihood.
Her father's business had suffered, making it difficult to meet educational expenses. During this period, Mr. Kiruba Raj responded not with pressure, but with understanding. He patiently accommodated the family's situation and provided the support they needed to continue her medical education without added anxiety.
Today, with the student successfully clearing one of India's most challenging medical licensing examinations, her father looks back on those difficult years with immense gratitude.
He often speaks about how Mr. Kiruba Raj's empathy and flexibility gave their family hope when they needed it most. For them, his support was not merely administrative—it was deeply human.
For many students and parents, these moments define his leadership more than any title ever could. They remember not just the guidance he provided, but the reassurance that someone genuinely cared when they were at their most vulnerable.
Image source: IMECHE
Trust Is Earned Every Single Day
Trust isn't built in a single conversation—it grows through every phone call answered, every concern addressed, and every promise kept.
For Mr. Kiruba Raj, supporting students doesn't stop with admissions. Whether it's helping families understand the process, guiding students through challenges, or simply being there when they need reassurance, his commitment remains the same.
That's why, for hundreds of Indian students, he isn't just the Founder of YourPLTCI—he's the person they know will stand beside them throughout their medical journey.
This article is brought to you by YourPLTCI, a platform dedicated to guiding Indian students towards safe and structured MBBS abroad pathways.
