Summer vacations announced for medical students

The Academic Council of the University of Health Sciences (UHS) convened under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor Professor Ahsan Waheed Rathore, where several important decisions were made regarding summer vacations, institutional reforms, and academic planning.

In a key move, the Council approved the summer vacation schedule for all affiliated undergraduate institutions, including over 200 medical and dental colleges. The vacation plan is as follows:

MBBS Program:

2nd and 3rd Year: June 5 to June 19

4th and Final Year: June 5 to June 26

1st Year: July 28 to August 4

BDS Program:

2nd, 3rd, and Final Year: June 5 to June 26

1st Year: July 1 to July 10

Pharmacy & DPT Programs (Allied Health Sciences):

June 6 to June 26

The variations in the vacation dates, particularly for first-year students, were attributed to the late commencement of academic sessions this year.

To enhance learning opportunities during the summer, the Council encouraged institutions to organize electives and summer schools. These programs will be open to undergraduate and postgraduate students from across Pakistan, offering hands-on training in clinical practice, public health, research, simulation, and skills labs.

Professor Rathore emphasized the objective of the electives: “These initiatives will allow students to gain professional skills of their choosing during the break.”

In a bid to streamline academic operations, the university has also launched a faculty registration portal for all health institutions in Punjab. The deadline for completing registration is July 1. Only faculty registered on the portal will be eligible for roles such as examiners, paper setters, and reviewers.

The Council also took a firm stance on eradicating the outdated student clerk system, as part of broader institutional reforms. Professor Rathore noted that 80% of the university's operations have now been shifted to online portals, reflecting a phased digitization strategy.

Further decisions included the approval of:

Academic calendars for MBBS, BDS, BS Nursing, Allied Health, and Pharmacy programs.

A new framework for the appointment of undergraduate examiners for the academic year 2024–25.

Appointment of new members to the Advanced Studies and Research Board, including Professor Iqbal Hussain Dogar, Professor Ayesha Humayun, Professor Mah Laqa Maqsood, Dr. Huma Saeed Khan, and Dr. Saba Khaliq.

Reporter: Zahid Chaudhary