RMU gets excellence award

The Association of Pakistani Physicians in North America (APPNA) has established its first office in Pakistan, which would be located at Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU).

RMU Vice Chancellor Professor Muhammad Umar confirmed to The Express Tribune that his university had provided space for an office of the prominent collective of physicians of Pakistani descent.

It will now establish itself in Rawalpindi Medical University and will operate its projects across Pakistan through its office. The association has already completed projects worth crores of rupees for social welfare, health, education, research and post-earthquake rehabilitation in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the university was also given an excellence award and a status of “APPNA Dost” (friend of the organisation APPNA) for having collaborated with the organisation on various projects pertaining to health, education, social welfare and others.

The VC said that the developments took place at the recently held annual convocation of APPNA that was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The principals of medical colleges and vice chancellors of medical universities from different countries including Pakistan participated in the convocation, said VC Umar.

At the convocation, the board of management presented the ‘award of excellence’ to the RMU. It also conferred the ‘top ranking university’ status on RMU, the VC added. The university was established in 2017.

According to the VC, it has 13,000 students pursuing MBBS while another 500 are enrolled in specialisation.

Clinical research lab

The Higher Education Commission has approved the established of a clinical research laboratory at RMU at a cost of Rs1.7 billion.

The VC claimed it would be Pakistan’s first clinical research lab. He added that a research unit would be established at the university.

Prof Umar said that the RMU getting recognition at international forum would encourage its students. He said they remained committed to contribute to the improvement of the healthcare system across the country and in all the hospitals of Rawalpindi.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 7^th, 2023.