PESHAWAR, Oct 31: The Khyber Medical University (KMU) may adopt semester system from next year, says the vice-chancellor.

“We will hold a joint conference of all universities and medical colleges in December and debate whether a semester system or some other alternative should be introduced in KMU,” Vice-Chancellor Dr Mohammad Daud Khan told mediapersons on Wednesday.

The KMU’s constituent colleges are, Khyber Medical College, Khyber College of Dentistry, Khyber Institute of Ophthalmic Medical Sciences, Pakistan Institute of Community Ophthalmology, Peshawar, Ayub Medical and Dental College, Abbottabad, Gomal Medical College, D.I. Khan and Saidu Medical College, Swat.

He said the Khyber Girls Medical College, Peshawar and Bannu Medical College would also be affiliated with the KMU, after they were recognised by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council.

The KMU, he said, would start offering masters degree in public health, medical education, healthcare management and ethics as well as PhD courses in basic medical sciences. He said the Khyber Institute of Public Health and Preventive Sciences was being set up for the purpose.

He claimed that a strategy had been devised to institutionalise research and development in the affiliated colleges.

Dr Khan said the performance of teaching hospitals would be improved. He said the varsity would conduct three workshops, one each on medical education, evaluation and research, and development for first-year students.

The vice chancellor said the admission policy had been approved, according to which a total of 68 seats would be reserved for Fata students, two for Upper Dir, three for Tank and one each for Hangu district and Balakot tehsil respectively.

He said that a search committee would be formed to appoint chief executives at teaching hospitals in the province. The names recommended by the committee would be approved by the syndicate before sending them to the chief minister for final selection.