The recent decision by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to raise the age limit for faculty members in private medical and dental colleges from 70 to 75 years is a welcome step. This progressive move acknowledges the invaluable expertise and experience that senior faculty brings to medical and dental education. Their extended presence will enhance academic standards and provide students with the opportunity to benefit from their seasoned mentorship and vast clinical knowledge. Additionally, the extension offers job security and financial stability to senior faculty members, which is a commendable step toward recognizing their lifelong dedication.
For faculty, this change secures their professional relevance and allows them to continue contributing meaningfully to their field. Experienced educators often possess refined teaching methodologies, deeper insights into clinical challenges, and a rich repository of case-based learning, which are invaluable to younger faculty and students alike. Institutes, in turn, benefit from continuity and leadership stability. Senior faculty often drives research initiatives, guides institutional development, and serves as role model for academic excellence, fostering a culture of growth and intellectual curiosity.
Setting an age limit for medical faculty can be a contentious issue, as it must balance respect for experience with the need to maintain high performance standards. Logical reasons for considering an age limit include physical and mental agility, as medical education and practice demand a high level of stamina and alertness. Declining abilities could impact teaching, clinical duties, and research. Moreover, with the rapid evolution of medicine, younger faculty may adapt more readily to advancements in technology and treatment protocols, ensuring cutting-edge methodologies in academia. Succession planning is another crucial aspect, as age limits create opportunities for younger professionals, fostering innovation and balancing experience with fresh perspectives. Additionally, declining physical or cognitive abilities in some cases might compromise patient safety or the quality of education. Retaining unfit faculty could turn an asset into a liability, compromising institutional productivity, student learning experiences, and overall academic quality. Ensuring regular health assessments and performance reviews could mitigate these risks.
However, age should not be the sole determinant of a faculty member’s capabilities. Many senior faculty bring invaluable experience and mentorship that younger faculty cannot replicate. Instead of rigid age limits, periodic performance evaluations are a better tool to retain a potential faculty member. It is essential to recognize that faculty members actively engaged in research and publishing their findings in reputable journals, as well as those who practice and promote evidence-based dentistry, significantly contribute to the advancement of academic and clinical standards. Such individuals are instrumental in driving innovation and improving patient care, underscoring the importance of extending their tenure beyond conventional age limits to maximize the benefits of their contributions. Concomitantly retirement policies can also help senior faculty transition into advisory or emeritus roles, enabling them to share their wisdom without the full burden of responsibilities.
It is imperative that before implementing such major policy decisions at a national level, all relevant stakeholders must be involved in a robust consultative process. Faculty, institutional heads, and other key contributors must have the opportunity to share their perspectives, ensuring that the final decision reflects a balanced and comprehensive understanding of its implications. Having said so, the feasibility of implementing such a fair approach in government institutions of Pakistan remains a pertinent question, highlighting the need for tailored policies.
Internationally, age limits for faculty vary. In the United States and most European countries, there are generally no mandatory retirement ages, with performance-based reviews determining tenure. In contrast, many Gulf countries, including the UAE, impose age limits between 65 and 70, with some extensions based on merit.
In line with PMDC’s allowance of one professor emeritus per institution above 70, a balanced approach could be to permit two to three emeritus positions per college. This would strike a middle ground; ensuring institutions retain senior expertise while maintaining standards of health and productivity. Thoughtful implementation of this policy will maximize its benefits for all stakeholders.
Ultimately, the success of this decision hinges on its careful implementation, ensuring that it aligns with the overarching goal of improving medical and dental education in Pakistan while upholding the highest standards of excellence and integrity.
Author Prof. Dr. Navid Rashid Qureshi is Principal (College of Dentistry) Liaquat College of Medicine & Dentistry, Member Syndicate JSMU, Postgraduate Supervisor CPSP & Ziauddin University, Director Dar ul Shifa International Trust, and President of Pakistan Dental Association (PDA), Karachi Chapter.