LARKANA: The syndicate of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU) has decided in principle to write to Sindh chief minister asking for modifying status of Bibi Aseefa Dental College to an institute and changing its nomenclature to Bibi Aseefa Institute of Dentistry.

Sources privy to a recent meeting of the syndicate disclosed to Dawn on Thursday that the sitting was informed that dearth of required staff in market would hamper the registration of the college with Pakistan Medical and Dental Council it was therefore advisable to change its status to institution.

The participants agreed after prolonged discussion that the chief minister would be requested for effecting the change as it could only be possible after Sindh Assembly amended the SMBBMU charter, said the sources.

The meeting chaired by Prof Dr Aneela Attaur Rehman, vice chancellor of SMBBMU, approved converting the department of pharmacy to institute of pharmacy and discussed the issue of leakage of confidential documents, said the sources.

It authorised the VC to take action against the employees found involved in leaking reports in accordance with the relevant rules.

It discussed the launch of a degree programme in physiotherapy and approved admission to the Doctor of Physiotherapy at the SMBBMU, said the sources.

It was learnt that the university had already shortlisted faculty and staff for starting the programme. The syndicate discussed the establishment of an English Language Centre (ELC) at the university and said the first such centre was established at Isra University and it would help the faculty improve certain studies where proficiency in English language was mandatory.

The meeting said that in view limited financial resources, the university could not afford to purchase new vehicles neither extend funds for recreational purposes nor allowances for various institutions at this juncture.

The participants also urged adopting austerity measures to address financial constraints.

The syndicate discussed providing specialised facilities to patients for minimum charges in the hospitals affiliated with it and the members agreed starting such facilities in selected departments and gradually extending such services to other departments.

The meeting took up the issue of reconstitution of advisory building committee and approved an 11-member committee with three years tenure and VC as its head.

After having approved the amended vision and mission statement in accordance with HEC advice, the meeting authorised the VC to revise logo and design the university flag, said the sources.

The meeting discussed the matter of awarding Ph.D to Irshad Shah and the members said that the University of Bahawalpur, Higher Education Commission and Pakistan Council of Pharmacy should be contacted in this context, said the sources.

The meeting approved recommendations of the selection board for filling different vacancies and said that various committees would be constituted in fulfillment of new PMDC criteria, authorising the VC to form committees for the purpose, said the sources.

Recently, the PMDC team had in the light of changed criteria visited Chandka Medical College, Ghulam Mohammad Mahar Medical College, Sukkur and Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences and asked the managers to fulfill the new criteria.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2019