About SASR
India's premier society for robotic surgery training, innovation, and clinical excellence.
SASR
Advancing Surgery
Pioneering robotics-led surgical education since 2020.
Our Origin
The Society of Advanced Surgical Robotics (SASR) was born from a singular, transformative conviction that world-class robotic surgery should not be a privilege of the few, but the standard of care for all.
Where purpose met precision.
"Every patient deserves access to the safest, most effective surgical care possible."
The Need
Rooted in decades of frontline surgical practice, SASR was established to address a stark reality that across India, access to structured robotic training remained inconsistent, fragmented, and out of reach for too many skilled surgeons.
The Response
We exist to close that gap. By bringing together the country's foremost robotic surgeons, building rigorous training pathways, and fostering a community built on mentorship and clinical integrity, SASR ensures that no surgeon has to navigate the future of surgery alone.
Our Vision: To Democratize the Future of Surgery
The society is the brainchild of Dr. Surender Kumar Dabas, a globally recognised pioneer in robotic surgical oncology. Throughout a career spanning over 30,000 complex surgeries and thousands of robotic procedures, Dr. Dabas recognised that the precision, safety, and recovery benefits of robotics should not be a luxury; they should be the standard of care.
The Mission: Training the Next Generation
Guided by Dr. Dabas’s mission to "train every surgeon on robotics," SASR serves as a bridge between traditional surgical excellence and the next frontier of medical technology. We believe that the scalpel of tomorrow is robotic, and our primary goal is to ensure that surgeons across all disciplines, from Gynaecology and Urology to GI and Thoracic surgery, have the mentorship and hands-on training required to master these advanced systems.
Chairman & Founder
Dr. Surender Kumar Dabas
Chairman & Founder, SASR
Leadership Message
A Message from Our Chairman
A clear vision for the future of robotic surgery, grounded in mentorship, clinical excellence, and patient-first innovation.
As we stand at the threshold of a new era in medicine, the evolution of surgery is no longer a distant prospect; it is our current reality. The transition from traditional open surgery to minimally invasive techniques, and now to the precision of robotics, marks one of the greatest leaps in clinical history.
The Society of Advanced Surgical Robotics (SASR) was founded on a simple yet profound conviction: that technology is only as powerful as the hands that guide it.
My vision has always been to ensure that every surgeon, regardless of their speciality or career stage, has the opportunity to master these advanced tools. We are not just adopting new machinery; we are redefining the standards of surgical excellence. Our foundation is built on the pillars of mentorship, accessibility, and clinical integrity.
We recognise that the journey from a conventional surgeon to a robotic expert requires a structured, supportive environment. SASR exists to provide that bridge, offering the training, fellowship, and collaborative community necessary to turn technical potential into life-saving proficiency.
To my colleagues and the next generation of surgeons: the future of surgery is collaborative, precise, and patient-centric. I invite you to join us in this mission. Together, we will ensure that the benefits of robotic innovation reach every operating theatre and, most importantly, every patient who entrusts us with their care.
Meet Our Founders
The Society of Advanced Surgical Robotics (ISASR) is led by a distinguished board of medical professionals who are pioneers in their respective fields. Together, they bring decades of experience in surgical oncology, gynaecology, and robotic innovation to realise a future where advanced surgery is accessible to all.
Dr. Surender Kumar Dabas
Chairman
A globally recognised pioneer in Robotic Surgical Oncology, Dr. Dabas has performed over 30,000 complex cancer surgeries, including more than 4,000 robotic procedures. As the Chairman of Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Centre, he is the driving force behind this society's vision to democratise robotic training. He is widely regarded as performing the most Robotic Head and Neck surgeries in Asia.
Dr. Ashwani Kumar Sharma
Vice Chairman
Dr. Sharma is a renowned Surgical Oncologist with vast experience in treating malignancies of the head, neck, thorax, and GI tract. Currently serving as an additional director at Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Centre, he is a dedicated mentor who has trained surgeons across India in Trans-Oral Robotic Surgeries (TORS) and robotic-assisted thoracic procedures.
Dr. Sayed Assif Iqbal
Secretary
With over a decade of surgical expertise, Dr. Iqbal specialises in Robotic and Laparoscopic Colorectal surgeries and complex GI oncology. His focus on precision and clinical outcomes has made him a key figure in the implementation of robotic esophagectomies and CRS with HIPEC procedures in India.
Dr. Priyanka Suhag
Joint Secretary
Dr. Suhag is a dedicated Obstetrician, Gynaecologist, and Robotic Surgeon with over 15 years of experience. As a Consultant at Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, she specialises in minimally invasive gynaecology. She is a passionate advocate for robotic-assisted hysterectomies and endometriosis surgeries, bridging the gap between advanced technology and women's healthcare.
Dr. Nidhi Nayyar
Treasurer
A certified Robotic Console Surgeon and Gynaecologic Oncologist, Dr. Nayyar is committed to the financial and operational integrity of the society. Her academic contributions, including research on robotic versus open radical hysterectomy, underscore her commitment to evidence-based surgical advancement.
Dr. Reetesh Ranjan
Joint Treasurer
Joint Treasurer With over 29 years of experience, Dr. Ranjan is a highly regarded Surgical Oncologist specialising in Head & Neck cancers. Serving as HOD at Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka, he is known for his multidisciplinary approach and expertise in micro-laryngeal and robotic head-and-neck surgeries.
Dr. Himanshu Shukla
Director of Education & Training
Director of Education & Training Dr. Shukla is a versatile Surgical Oncologist known for his patient-centric approach. In his role as Director of Education, he leads the society’s mission to create structured training curricula, ensuring that the next generation of surgeons transitions from traditional techniques to robotic mastery with confidence.
Dr. Arvind Koslia
Director of Research & Academic Affairs
An expert in Surgical Oncology with extensive training from AIIMS, Dr. Koslia spearheads the society’s research initiatives. He focuses on academic excellence and handles complex cases in urologic and oesophagal malignancies, ensuring ISASR remains at the forefront of clinical innovation.