Universities should play their role in character building of students to make them good human beings-Governor Punjab

6th ICHPE at University of Lahore
Universities should play their role in character building of students to make
them good human beings-Governor Punjab
University of Lahore is producing Human Resource in the field of Medical Education - Owais Rauf
WFME is not policing agency, it helpsin accreditation tools to achieve
higher level - Shahid Mahmood Malik

LAHORE: Speaking at the inaugural session of the 6th International Conference on Health Professional Education (ICHPE) organized by University of Lahore, Governor of Punjab Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman has called upon the universities to play their role in character building of the students so that they become good human beings. He also commended the services of healthcare professionals during the COVID19 Pandemic. Building a Resilient Education System was the theme of the conference which was largely attended by delegates from all over the country besides numerous guest speakers from overseas which included some world renowned medical educationists. Prof. David Gordon the outgoing President of World Federation of Medical Education also graced the occasion with his presence.

Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman Governor Punjab who was the chief guest at the inaugural session of ICHPE 2022 being presented a memento by Mr. Owais Rauf Chairman BOG of UOL. Also, seen in the picture from
(L to R) are Prof. Mahwish Arooj, Prof. Muhammad Ashraf Rector UOL and Prof.Shahid Mahmood Malik.

Generally, the standard of medical education in Pakistan, the Governor Punjab opined was very good and Pakistani doctors and specialists are well accepted globally and they are working in many countries of the world. However, we need to work hard to ensure that our curriculum is competitive with the world standards. Commending the contributions of University of Lahore, the Governor Punjab said it has adopted the policy of collaboration with other medical institutions and such efforts create confidence in the students. With sound education and medical standards, society makes progress. These characteristics produce good teachers. He also suggested that medical institutions should also teach medical ethics and spirituality. The recent unprecedented floods have made millions of people homeless, thousands of homes and even healthcare facilities have been destroyed. We need to accelerate our rebuilding efforts which should continue. We must be able to deliver more and it was also important that we learn from our past mistakes. He commended the vision and leadership of Mr. M.A. Rauf who founded the University of Lahore which has now produced many leaders in medical education.

Earlier Mr. Owais Rauf Chairman Board of Governors of University of Lahore in his address said that they are producing human resource in the field of medical education. We follow Internaitonal standards and UOL has achieved great achievements. A large number of faculty members have also attended the certificate course in medical education. We have achieved global standards and it is a privilege to attract largest number of foreign students, he remarked.
Mr. Arshad Rector University of Lahore pointed out that looking at various indicators, University of Lahore has improved its world ranking. It is now considered as one of the top most university in private sector in Pakistan. Last year UOL had a great jump and further improved its ranking because of Research and Development activities. It is now included in top eight hundred universities of the world. Only two weeks ago the university hosted an Internaitonal conference on Allied Health Sciences which was largely attended by speakers from overseas as well.

Sitting on the Dais during the inaugural session of ICHPE organized by Univesity of Lahore from Nov. 1st
to November 3r 2022 from (L to R) are Prof. Mahwish Arooj, Prof. Muhammad Ashraf Rector UOL, Governor Punjab Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman, Mr. Owais Rauf Chairman BOG UOL and Prof.Shahid Mahmood Malik.

Prof. David Gordon President of World Federation of Medical Education (WFME) speaking in a jovial mood remarked that Pakistan and England are both friendly countries as we both play cricket and also know its rules as well and it is important to confuse the United States, he remarked. He also referred to the Pakistan Medical Commission and its role in medical education. We are here to try and help improve the standards of medical education, he remarked.

Prof. Shahid Mahmood Malik in his address stated that since 2014 we have been organizing this conference. Due to Covid19 pandemic, the conference was held virtually for two years and we are again meeting face to face. It is always attended by numerous local research scholars and guest speakers from overseas. We have been in dialogue with various regulatory bodies to know what they expect from us. We are constantly trying to improve the quality and standard of medical education. University of Lahore is playing its role as its contribution in clinical practice and research. We started Masters in Medical Education and most of those who qualified have now been gainfully employed in various medical institutions. We are eager for collaboration with other institutions. He also announced that from this year we are starting three Awards to recognize the services of late Prof. M.H. Qazi the former Vice Chancellor of University of Lahore. One is the Excellence Award and the other award for adopting innovations. During Covid we experimented with Hybrid teaching technology. We as a university has a responsibility. World Federation of Medical Education, he stated, is not a policing agency, it helps in accreditation tools to achieve a higher level.

Prof. Mahwish Arooj Principal of University Medical and Dental College in her speech stated that thirty-six pre-conference workshops on various important topics were held at various medical institutions in Lahore and other cities which was a part of the scientific programme. We started holding this conference in 2014 and it has contributed a great deal in producing specialists in medical education.

Conference programme also included poster presentations, oral presentations, plenary sessions while some eminent medical educationists also participated in the conference virtually and made their presentations. There were three Symposia besides a panel discussion on “Role of students and faculty in building resilience in Health Professional Education”. 

M.H. Qazi Awards 

Dr. Gohar Wajid an eminent medical educationist who started this Health Professional Education program first at Khyber Medical University and later at University of Lahore was presented the late Prof. M.H. Qazi Excellent Award in the concluding session. He thanked the organizers for this honour and stated that he will finally accept it after declaring it at WHO and if they have no objection to it. Dr. Zafar Iqbal was presented MH Qazi Innovation Award which was received by his father in his absence. No suitable candidate was found for the Third award hence it was not given this time. More reports to follow.