KARACHI: An extensive review of Jinnah Sindh Medical University’s (JSMU) performance and its postgraduate programmes was completed by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) last week.

The two teams conducting the review comprised of Dr Jawad Ahmed, Khyber Medical University, Pesha­war; Dr Nakhshab Chaud­hary, King Edward Medical University, Lahore; Dr Abdul Rauf Khaskheli, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Medical University, Larkana; Dr Muhammad Arif Khattak, Bahria University, Islam­abad; Dr Mudassir A. Khan, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, and Dr Muhammad Ovais Omer, Uinversity of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore. Dr Nadia Tahir, managing director of the (QAA) HEC, also joined the session.

The Institutional Performance Evaluation (IPE) team reviewed the JSMU’s functions against the IPE standards prescribed by the HEC whereas the other team reviewed all MS/MPhil and equivalent programmes. JSMU Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Tariq Rafi appreciated the efforts of Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) to organise the visit successfully and said that the university was committed to achieving excellence and compliance with the HEC criteria in all aspects.

Dr Abdul Wahid Usmani, QEC director, led the visit presenting the JSMU existing practices and accomplishments achieved so far including the formalisation of standardised university policies, SOPs, organogram, key performance indicators-based performance evaluation, job descriptions of key officials, terms of reference of university wide committees etc.

The committees reviewed the University Portfolio Report and programme review documents along with the available evidences; validated the same during interactions with deans, registrar, institutional and support department heads, faculty and students of all levels.

According to a statement, they also had field visits to significate university facilities, including laboratories, libraries, classrooms, faculty offices, dental out-patient department, support departments etc.

The teams shared their observations and recommendations for further improvement in the existing system. The VC thanked the team for their valuable input and assured them full and continued efforts for compliance. He also presented souvenirs to the reviewers.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2020