SZABMU gives approval for Clinical Sciences PhD degree

Islamabad:In a bid to further strengthen medical education field, and benefit health professionals across the country, the syndicate of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU) gave approval for the Clinical Sciences Ph.D degree in line with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) policy guidelines here on Wednesday, says a press release.

The higher education regulator - HEC, had approved partial relaxation in the requirement of full-time PhD faculty members to launch MS/M.Phil or equivalent and Ph.D programmes in clinical health sciences, and basic medical sciences for the first time in Pakistan.

Vice Chancellor of the Federal Medical University Prof. Dr. Tariq Iqbal chaired the syndicate meeting of the university adding: “There was no career growth for medical professionals - doctors and senior faculty members of the medical field after they are done with Master of Surgery (MS) and Doctor of Medicine (MD), and Fellow of College of Physicians and Surgeons (FCPS) so we got the approval for Clinical Sciences Ph.D degree from top forum of the university.”

It is pertinent to mention that HEC this year constituted a health sector committee comprising Vice chancellors of medical universities from four provinces, federal, and private sector and a member from CPSP & PMDC which was chaired by Lt. Gen. Imran Majeed. The committee comprehensively discussed various proposals and principally agreed on recommendations to relax the present Ph.D policy for basic medical sciences, and clinical sciences.

He informed that: “The University’s Syndicate also gave approval for central induction for admission in under-grad programmes in all of its affiliated public, and private medical and dental colleges.”

Prof. Tariq Iqbal said that this policy was also in line with the PM&DC regulations which directs medical universities to follow central induction policy for admission of students in MBBS/BDS programme(s) in affiliated medical and dental colleges registered with this university.

To improve medical health system in Islamabad the University also formed a committee with approval of the Syndicate for standardization of Islamabad Health System, which will be chaired by MNA Dr. Tariq Fazal Chahdry - also a member of the syndicate of the university.