LAHORE: The Inter-Medicine University Board, consisting of vice-chancellors and rectors of medical varsities recently announced a uniform policy to conduct online classes and arrange assessments in medical and dental colleges across the province in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.
The meeting of the board was held at the University of Health Sciences (UHS), which was chaired by UHS Vice-Chancellor, Prof Javed Akram. Others who attended included Vice-Chancellor, King Edward Medical University (KEMU), Prof Khalid Masud Gondal, Vice-Chancellor, Fatima Jinnah Medical University (FJMU), Prof Aamir Zaman Khan, Vice-Chancellor, Faisalabad Medical University (FMU), Prof Zafar Ali Choudhry, Rector, Superior Univesity, Dr. Sumaira Rehman, Principal, Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS), Prof Mehmood Ayaz, Pre-Rector, Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS), Prof. Shahid Mahmud Malik, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS), Prof Ijaz Hussain, Registrar, UHS, Prof Asad Zaheer and controller of examinations Dr. Saqib Mehmood. Vice-Chancellor, Rawalpindi Medical University, Prof Muhammad Umar and Principal, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Medical College Muzaffarabad, Prof Sarosh Majid participated through video link.
It was unanimously decided by the board that no student of any medical or dental college would be promoted to the next class without passing the examination. The supplementary examinations which were postponed due to coronavirus last month would be conducted in June after Eid-ul-Fitr. It was also decided that no grace marks would be awarded to any failing candidate.
“We can’t compromise the standards of medical education. Medical students are advised to prepare themselves for their examinations”, said Prof Javed Akram adding that cancelling examination and promoting students would render irreversible loss to the standards of medical education.
It was also decided that the examinations would be conducted as per the standard operating procedures with special emphasis on social distancing.
“Examination centers will be increased. Moreover, a special examination will be conducted for the candidates stranded in foreign countries after the resumption of flight operation”, said Prof Aamir Zaman Khan.
It was also decided not to delay the current academic session in any case and conduct the examinations of this year in October as per notified schedule.
It was also agreed that virtual classes should continue while making them more interactive in nature.
The members also supported the idea of conducting intermediate examinations by various educational boards as well as Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) through social distancing.
Prof Javed Akram said that the MDCAT could be postponed till end of September. He, however, emphasized the need of developing consensus among all stakeholders in this regard. He said that he would request the Punjab governor to convene a meeting of heads of all medical and dental institutions on this important issue while taking federal education minister on board.
-DN Report
