Academic leaps: Khyber Medical University to launch three new projects

Vice chancellor announces schemes while chairing university syndicate meeting.

PESHAWAR:

Three new projects were approved by Khyber Medical University (KMU), Peshawar on Tuesday at an estimated cost of Rs2.2 billion.

KMU Vice Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr Mohammad Hafizullah announced the new schemes while chairing the 13th meeting of the university syndicate held at Institute of Basic Medical Sciences (IBMS), KMU.

The proposed projects are the establishment of KMU Institute of Nursing and Medical Technology at an estimated cost of Rs750 million, KMU Institute of Medical Sciences at a cost of Rs995 million and strengthening KMU at a cost of Rs450 million.



At the meeting, VC Hafizullah informed the syndicate KMU had formed an emergency advisory team comprising medical, public health and nursing experts to visit Swat district in connection with the recent outbreak of dengue fever in the valley. The team will recommend precautionary measures to concerned authorities.

“Upon the successful completion of PhDs by KMU scholars studying abroad as well the completion of PhDs by scholars enrolled in IBMS, the various constituent institutes of the university shall start functioning optimally and also initiate practical research in the field of medical and allied health sciences,” said the VC.

During the meeting, the syndicate recommended the addition of six new faculties – the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Profession Education and Research, and Faculty of Public Health and Social Sciences – seeking approval from the university senate.

On the recommendations of the University Selection Board, the syndicate accorded approval for appointment of Dr Abdul Sahib Khan as associate professor at IBMS, Asim Samad as assistant treasurer on regular basis and Dr Mohammad Tahir Sarwar as assistant professor on contractual basis at IBMS.

The syndicate also approved provisional/conditional affiliation for students who are currently enrolled at Rehman Medical Institute School of Nursing, Peshawar and Royal College of Nursing, Swat for the four-year BSc (nursing) programme.

Participants of the meeting discussed KMU Research and Ethics Statutes, 2008 in detail and recommended the revised draft for approval of the university senate with some amendments.

The syndicate later approved the proposed eligibility criteria of different posts for the Office of Research Innovation and Commercialisation (ORIC), KMU. It also accorded approval for the grant of Ad hoc Relief Allowance 2013 and 10% of basic pay to all KMU employees including contingent workers and contractual employees.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th, 2013.