UHS introduces faculty councils to improve teaching, research in medical colleges 

The University of Health Sciences (UHS) has set up Discipline-Specific Faculty Councils (DSFC) to provide a structured forum for teachers from its on-campus, constituent, and affiliated institutions, 24NewsHD TV reported on Tuesday. 

 It aimed at improving teaching standards, research output, and assessment practices.

Under these councils, continued professional development (CPD) activities will be organised in each discipline.

In this connection, the first seminar was held on Tuesday in physiology, titled “Updates in Physiology Research.”

The event was arranged by the UHS Department of Physiology and attended by around 50 faculty members from affiliated medical colleges.

UHS Vice Chancellor Prof Ahsan Waheed Rathore inaugurated the seminar along with Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Nadia Naseem and Head of Physiology Department Prof Uzma Zargham.

The speakers included Dr Sundus Tariq, Associate Professor at the International School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkiye, and Prof Mohsin Ali Cheema, Vice Principal of Narowal Medical College.

According to the university, more than 5,000 faculty members from over 100 medical, dental, nursing and allied health institutions will be part of the DSFCs. Each council will be chaired by the senior-most professor in the specialty and will meet at least once a month, with additional meetings called when needed.

The agenda of these councils will typically include clinical case discussions, ethics and patient safety reviews, journal clubs, curriculum evaluation, assessment feedback, faculty skill development, and updates on policy guidelines from the Higher Education Commission and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council.

Prof Rathore said the councils were designed to build a direct connection between the university and its affiliated colleges, bridging communication gaps and promoting collaboration across institutions. 

"Nineteen seminars in different disciplines are scheduled till mid-September as part of faculty capacity building, while such activities will continue throughout the academic year."