The University of Health Sciences (UHS) has officially launched Pakistan’s first-ever five-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree program. This historic decision was made during a syndicate meeting held on Thursday, chaired by UHS Vice Chancellor Prof. Ahsan Waheed Rathore.
Previously, BDS programs in Pakistan followed a four-year structure, unlike the five-year format common in countries like the USA and UK. This discrepancy often required Pakistani dental graduates to pursue additional qualifications to meet international standards. By aligning the program with global norms, UHS aims to enhance the international recognition of Pakistani dental degrees.
Key Decisions and Developments from the Meeting
The syndicate also approved several significant initiatives, including curriculum updates, faculty appointments, and institutional affiliations:
- Curriculum Enhancements: The 3.0 version of the modular, integrated MBBS curriculum for 2023 was approved, along with skill-based, life-saving short courses in BDS, pharmacy, nursing, and allied health programs. These courses are expected to benefit around 150,000 students annually.
- Faculty Appointments: Several new faculty appointments were made, including Dr. Uruj Zehra as Professor of Anatomy and Dr. Sumaira Ehsan as Associate Professor of Medical Education, along with other specialists in fields like forensic medicine, hematology, and nursing.
- Regulations and Frameworks: The syndicate approved the 2024 regulations for MS, MD, and MDS Level III and IV programs. Additionally, plans to expand UHS offerings to include Level IV programs in collaboration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) were discussed.
- Institutional Affiliation: The nursing programs at the Continental Institute of Nursing and PKLI Institute of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences were affiliated with UHS, allowing graduates to receive UHS degrees.
- Increased Seat Capacity: The seat capacity at Akhtar Saeed Dental College was raised from 50 to 75 to accommodate more students.
Focus on Nursing Education
The syndicate also highlighted the need for standardizing nursing education in Pakistan. It called for a review of agreements between nursing colleges and hospitals, and recommended that private nursing institutions provide student stipends comparable to those offered by public colleges.
Administrative Matters
The meeting also covered various administrative issues, such as the provisional registration of postgraduate residents at Punjab’s government hospitals for the 2023–2024 session, amendments to the UHS Service Statutes 2005, and the approval of new hostel and student health facility rules. A three-member panel was established to oversee institutional affiliations, with the Vice Chancellor having the authority to appoint committee heads as necessary.
The meeting was attended by key participants, including Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Nadia Naseem, Registrar Kiran Fatima, and representatives from Punjab’s specialized healthcare and finance departments.
