PESHAWAR: Khyber Medical University has disqualified 10 students for three years and cancelled complete examinations of 16 others in addition to annulment of specific papers of 59 students for violation of code of conduct.

Financial penalties of up to Rs20,000 have also been imposed on 78 students while 17 students have been assigned community service including tree plantation and blood donation as part of corrective measures, according to a press release.

It said that KMU was committed to ensuring transparency, fairness and promotion of high academic standards in its examination processes. To uphold academic integrity and discourage the use of unlawful means, the university has taken strict disciplinary action in accordance with its regulations.

It said that the university imposed various penalties on students during the semester-based examinations 2024 for violation of code of conduct.

Similarly, in annual examinations for MBBS and BDS of the academic session 2024-2025, strict action was taken against the use of unfair means. In this regard, one student from MBBS fourth professional examination was expelled from college under Section 3(b) (9) of KMU Examination Regulations, 2023, for cheating and assaulting the examination staff.

The complete examination of another MBBS student was cancelled while specific papers of seven students were annulled. Financial penalties of up to Rs50,000 were imposed on 46 students while five others had their mobile phones and other electronic devices confiscated by the authorities for violating examination rules. Six MBBS students were assigned community service tasks such as tree plantation and blood donation to instil a sense of social responsibility in them.

The university reaffirmed its strict adherence to its zero-tolerance policy against the use of unfair means and emphasised that any unlawful activity would not be tolerated. The administration expects asked students to uphold the principles of honesty and transparency in future examinations to maintain an exemplary academic environment.

The press release said that the university would continue to take stringent legal and disciplinary action against individuals involved in academic misconduct to ensure the integrity of the examination system.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2025