National outreach plan on promoting higher education inaugurated

LAHORE: Parliamentary Secretary for Specialised Healthcare & Medical Education Department Punjab Rushda Lodhi inaugurated the National Outreach Programme at the Fatima Jinnah Medical University (FJMU) on Monday.

National Outreach Programme is a collaborative effort between Fatima Jinnah Medical University Lahore, National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) and Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan.

This significant event marked the beginning of a new initiative aimed at promoting higher education and improving the quality of academic programmes in Pakistan. FJMU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Masood Gondal was the patron-in-chief at the event while Prof Noreen Akmal, the former principal, was the guest of honour on this occasion.

Rushda Lodhi acknowledged the FJMU’s reputation and prestige, stating that it was a privilege to be a part of this event. She emphasised the importance of applying the knowledge and skills gained from the training session to their professional routines. She encouraged them to make a conscious effort to integrate the learnings into their daily practices, which would ultimately benefit their patients, students, and the institution.

She appreciated the visionary leadership of Prof Khalid Masood and acknowledged his outstanding contributions to the field of medicine. She recognised his dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence, which have made a significant impact on the university and the medical community.

Prof Khalid Masood highlighted the significance of the training programme, stating that it would be instrumental in enhancing the professional skills, knowledge, and leadership abilities of the faculty members at Fatima Jinnah Medical University. He emphasised that the programme would not only benefit the individual faculty members but also contribute to the overall development of the institution. He also emphasised that enhancing one's academic capabilities is a lifelong process that requires dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to continuous learning. He encouraged the faculty members to take full advantage of the training programme and to further enhance their academic capabilities. He stressed that the programme would provide a valuable opportunity for the faculty to update their knowledge, skills, and expertise, which would ultimately benefit the students and the institution as a whole.

Prof Gondal also expressed his gratitude to the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan Dr Mukhtar Ahmed and Dr Noor Amna Malik for including Fatima Jinnah Medical University in the list of training programmes. He acknowledged the support and recognition received from the HEC and appreciated their efforts in promoting academic excellence and professional development in Pakistani universities. The National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) conducted capacity building programmes for the faculty and staff of higher education institutions in Pakistan.