Uncertain future: Dental council refuses to register 27 students

Claims Khyber College of Dentistry over-enrolled in 2008.

PESHAWAR:

Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has refused to register 27 students of Khyber College of Dentistry (KCD) after the college increased enrolment in 2008 on its own.

PMDC has given permission to KCD to admit 50 students per year; however, in the 2008 session, the college violated the rule and admitted 77 students, allegedly due to pressure from the government at the time. Although these students graduated in 2013, they are still waiting for their degree registration.

The students informed The Express Tribune that PMDC has refused to register them, as a result of which they have been compelled to do house jobs without registration. One of the students explained that in 2008, the KCD Principal was Professor Dr Qiamuddin, who was also a member of PMDC. Due to alleged government pressure at the time, he increased the number of seats to 77.  He said that PMDC had not carried out any inspection from 2008 till 2013. He also maintained that on December 27, 2013, PMDC wanted to inspect the college, which Qiamuddin managed to delay for a further three months.

“It is not just about us 27 students; many more will suffer in the future,” said one of the students. They blamed the principal for not taking any serious steps to address the matter.

When contacted, Qiamuddin admitted to the registration issue and said they are taking it up with PMDC.

He explained that the previous government had decided to increase the number of seats, and they were compelled to follow their orders. The professor said that at the end of the session, PMDC refused the registration of the remaining 27 students, despite receiving the fee for 77 students. Qiamuddin hoped the problem would be solved soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16^th, 2014.