The University of Health Sciences (UHS) Syndicate, under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ahsan Waheed Rathore, convened on Thursday to implement significant decisions aimed at enhancing medical and nursing education in Punjab.
Stipends for Private Nursing Students
A major resolution was the directive for private nursing institutions to provide stipends to their students equivalent to those in public colleges. This step aims to promote parity and incentivize nursing education across the province.
Standardizing Clinical Training
The syndicate decided to revisit nursing colleges in Punjab to assess their agreements with hospitals, ensuring standardized clinical training for students.
Curriculum Advancements
- MBBS Curriculum: The syndicate approved version 3.0 of the modular, integrated MBBS curriculum 2K23.
- Historic BDS Programme: Pakistan’s first-ever five-year BDS degree programme introduced by UHS was endorsed, marking a historic milestone in dental education.
Skill-Based Training Initiatives
The launch of life-saving, skill-based short courses in BDS, pharmacy, nursing, and allied health programmes was approved, benefiting approximately 150,000 students annually.
Committee Formations and Institutional Affiliations
A three-member affiliation committee was formed, comprising Prof. Ayesha Shaukat, Prof. Soufia Farrukh, and Prof. Iqbal Hussain Dogar. The vice-chancellor was empowered to appoint the head of the committee, depending on the location of the institution to be inspected.
Postgraduate Provisions and Administrative Reforms
- Provisional registration was granted for postgraduate residents admitted to Punjab’s government hospitals in 2023 and 2024.
- The amended UHS Service Statutes 2005 will be forwarded to the Specialized Healthcare Department for further legal processing.
These decisions reflect UHS’s commitment to advancing healthcare education, ensuring equitable opportunities, and maintaining high standards in clinical training and institutional operations.
