The Academic Council of Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) met for the 32nd time on Wednesday seeking to increase seats in popular programs.
Attended by professors, deans and heads of institutions alongside principals and representatives of affiliated colleges, the meeting discussed changes in existing academic procedures, approved reconstituted boards, and reviewed new project proposals.
Registrar Dr Azam Khan opened the meeting welcoming the participants. Led by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Amjad Siraj Memon, the Council approved raising the number of seats in several programs noting the large number of candidates appearing in the Entry Tests. These included the Bachelor in Dental Sciences from 50 to 75 seats, the B.S. Medical Technology from 150 to 200 seats, and the BS Nursing program seats from 50 to 100. The latter two programs have been consistently receiving around 3000 applications annually.
The Council discussed the adequacy of faculty and the funds to accommodate the increased number of students, and proposed solutions to make arrangements for the expanded numbers. Following this approval, the University shall apply to the concerned authorities for permission.
The Council also approved the assessment policy for Professionalism, Islamiat, and Ethics for non-Muslims in undergraduate programs. The APPNA Institute of Public Health-JSMU and Institute of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation-JSMU gained approvals for their reconstituted Boards of Studies, while the Institutes of Pharmaceutical Sciences-JSMU and the Institute of Health and Business Management-JSMU received approvals for their revised Boards of Faculty. Two members of Academic Council were also nominated for the Affiliation Committee.
The Research Department requested to approve reconstitution of the Advanced Studies and Research Board and proposed to issue certificates for plagiarism free work to postgraduate students.
Other agenda items included curriculum changes and program specifications of the MBA-HHCM and Family Medicine diploma programs. The meeting was organized by the office of the Registrar, JSMU.
Also present at the meeting were the head of Quality Enhancement Cell Dr Abdul Wahid Usmani, Controller Examination Dr Anita Shah, Director Affiliated Colleges Dr Rahat Naz, and Director Academics Dr Syed Moyn Ali.
