UHS board approves examination reforms

LAHORE:The University of Health Sciences (UHS) Board of Governors (BoG), following syndicate recommendations, has endorsed amendments to the 'Regulation of Examinations.'

The changes eliminate the need for internal examiners, substituting them with additional examiners in practical and viva voce exams, aiming to ensure fairness and enhance examination credibility. The amendment takes effect from the 2024 annual examinations.

The 55th meeting of the board was chaired by Justice (retd) Sheikh Ahmad Farooq on Thursday. Other members included UHS Vice-Chancellor Prof Ahsan Waheed Rathore, Naeem Akhtar Shaikh, Prof Salima Hashmi, Registrar Prof Sarah Ghafoor, and additional secretaries from the Health and Finance departments of Punjab.

The board approved the amendment to ‘Regulations for Internal Assessment’ to allow an increase in internal assessment in all the professional examinations of the university from 10 per cent to 20 per cent. The candidates will be required to score at least 50 per cent marks in the internal assessment in each subject to become eligible for the professional examinations, in addition to the existing attendance requirement of 75 per cent.

The internal assessment marks shall be submitted to the university on quarterly basis for annual scheme of studies and at end of each semester or block in the semester or modular integrated system, respectively.

It was also endorsed that the university may conduct its professional examinations at selected examination centres on neutral venues rather than conducting the same at individual institutions.

It was agreed that in basic science subjects, practical and viva voce component would be replaced with objectively structured practical examination (OSPE). At least 10-12 OSPE stations may be established for conduct of oral & practical examinations, and preferably all of these ought to be observed stations.

Moreover, all the examination duties, including appointment as examiners, paper-assessors, and paper setters will be considered as official duty and hence an obligation on the faculty of the constituent and affiliated colleges of the university. The principals of the colleges concerned will relieve their faculty members for such university assignments, as and when required.

The board approved the extension of contracts for 57 employees and the appointment of 30 new faculty members based on the selection board's recommendation. Six positions for senior medical officers and medical officers for the establishment of UHS Medical College were also given the green light.

The board also approved the establishment of the UHS Directorate of Postgraduate Studies to bring all activities related to postgraduate academics and research under one roof.