JSMU VC laments lack of funds, space

Initially promised funds of Rs270 million were cut down to a meagre Rs20 million, he says

KARACHI: Jinnah Sindh Medical University Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Tariq Ahmed has lamented the lack of resources and funds, which, he said, is a hurdle in the way of imparting education at the varsity.

Addressing a session on Friday, Prof Ahmed said that JSMU is the only university that does not have a teaching college affiliated with it and consequently, JSMU students are left with no other option but to go to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for clinical practice.

According to Prof Ahmed, the government had announced the allocation of 20 acres of land for the varsity in the Education City on Super Highway, but the university is yet to be given the possession of the land. Expressing grievances over the government's nonchalance, the JSMU VC said that the initially promised funds of Rs270 million by the government for the university had also been cut down to a meagre Rs20 million.

In session: Jinnah Sindh Medical University to use JPMC, NICH as its hospitals

He said that in 2018, funds of only Rs20 million were released for the university whereas the varsity's administration had established a record number of new institutes at JSMU around that time.

The VC also complained about the lack of space at the university's campus, stressing the need for expanding the varsity's boundaries.

"Although new institutes of family medicine, physiotherapy, medical education and nursing have been established at the university's campus, we are challenged by an acute shortage of space," said Prof Ahmed.

He said that JSMU is the largest medical university of Pakistan where more than 7,000 students are enrolled, adding that it is the first varsity in the country to have used video and audio records for semester examination, which ensures transparency.

"We are now conducting all examinations online," he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 9^th, 2019.