The University of Health Sciences (UHS) Advanced Studies and Research Board (ASRB) has ratified the recommendation of the MPhil/PhD committee to amend the admission criteria for MPhil and Master’s degree programs.
Chaired by UHS Vice Chancellor Prof. Ahsan Waheed Rathore, the 202nd ASRB meeting convened on Thursday.
According to the revised criteria, candidates are now required to achieve a minimum score of 75 percent in the University’s Postgraduate Entrance Test for admission, an increase from the previous threshold of 50 percent. Additionally, the board has eliminated the prerequisite for a minimum of two years of relevant experience, making fresh graduates eligible to apply for MPhil and Master’s degree programs at UHS.
Furthermore, the board examined and sanctioned 45 student thesis reports and examination panels for thesis submissions by individuals including Sana Iqbal, Osheen Sajjad, Madiha Shakoor, Shumaila Habib (all Ph.D. in Human Genetics & Molecular Biology), and Dr. Huma Saeed Khan (Ph.D. in Physiology).
In another development, the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) and Pink Ribbon Pakistan inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Thursday to collaborate on breast cancer awareness initiatives.
Signed at Arfa Karim Tower, the MoU involved PHEC Chairperson Dr. Shahid Munir, Pink Ribbon Pakistan CEO Umar Aftab, and representatives from six women’s universities in Punjab.
The ceremony aimed to address the insufficient awareness of breast cancer among women, often leading to delayed diagnoses. Dr. Munir expressed PHEC and Pink Ribbon Pakistan’s commitment to conducting breast cancer awareness activities in women’s universities across Punjab, while Mr. Aftab appreciated PHEC’s support.
Notable attendees included Vice Chancellors Dr. Shagufta Naz (Lahore College for Women University), Dr. Faleeha Zahra Kazmi (Home Economics University), Dr. Anila Kamal (Rawalpindi Women University), Dr. Zareen Fatima Rizvi (Government College Women University Sialkot), Registrar Dr. Fatima Mazhar (Women Sadiq University, Bahawalpur), and Dr. Salma (Government College Women University, Madina Town, Faisalabad).
Per the MoU, women’s universities will aid Pink Ribbon through academic studies, research projects, case studies, and hospital business modeling. Seminars and workshops will be conducted to emphasize crucial aspects of breast cancer, and students, faculty members, and alumni will be encouraged to contribute and raise funds for the awareness campaign.
