Educational endeavour: VCs appointed to two medical universities

LAHORE:

The Punjab government on Saturday appointed Major General (r) Muhammad Aslam and Professor Faisal Masud as vice chancellors (VC) to the University of Health Sciences (UHS) and King Edward Medical University (KEMU), respectively.

Spokesperson for Governor Ahmad Mahmood told The Express Tribune that a summary for the appointment of VCs had been approved by Mahmood on Saturday and returned to the chief minister’s secretariat and the health department, he said.

A health department spokesperson said, “A notification for these appointments has been issued, professors Masud and Aslam will assume their duties from Monday.” The appointments were made in line with the search committee’s recommendations, he said. “Both VCs have been appointed for a term of four years,” the spokesperson added.

The new appointees have had considerable experience in administrative posts. Masud has been principal of the Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS). Aslam has a PhD in physiology from the University of London. He has served as principal of the Army Medical College and is currently vice chancellor of a private university in Islamabad.



The search committee had comprised Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) Pro Vice Chancellor Syed Babar Ali, former AIMC principal Gardezi, former chief secretary Pervaiz Masood, former finance minister Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique.

College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) Regional Director Professor Khalid Masood Gondal said it was wonderful that eminent and upright people had been appointed VCs for these medical universities, strictly on merit. “We hope that Professor Masud and Professor Aslam will work to improve medical education and uplift health standards in the province,” he said. The Young Doctors Association (YDA) also welcomed the appointment. YDA General Secretary Dr Salman Kazmi said, “We are happy that our efforts have borne fruit and new VCs have been appointed on merit”.

Young Kemcolians Forum Media Secretary Dr Khuda Baksh said, “We are glad our university has finally received a full-time VC.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2013.