Prof. Dr. Mohammad Hazifullah Vice Chancellor, Khyber Medical University along with his team comprising of;
- Prof. Dr. Shad Muhammad, Director (Academic, Admission & Quality Assurance), Khyber Medical University.
- Prof. Dr. Nargas Perveen, Principal Khyber Medical College, Peshawar.
- Prof. Dr. Hamayun Shah, Principal, Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad
- Prof. Dr. Qiamudin, Principal, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar.
- Prof. Dr. Abdul Mateen, Principal, Gomal Medical College, D.I.Khan.
- Prof. Dr. Muhammad Jan, Principal, Saidu Medical College, Swat
- Prof. Dr. Abid Jamil, Deputy Dean PGMI, HMC, Hayatabad, Peshawar.
- Prof. Dr. Zubair Khan, Principal Khyber Girls Medical College, Peshawar.
- Prof. Dr. Shafiqullah, Principal, Bannu Medical College, Bannu.
- Syed Muhammad Ashhad Halimi, Deputy Registrar (Meetings & Academics), Khyber Medical University,
visited Aga Khan University (AKU) and DOW University of Health sciences, Karachi as it five days programme to visit certain medical and health sciences universities of the country.
The team, at AKU, was received by Prof. Dr. Farhat Abbasi, Dean Postgraduate Medical Education AKU. Prof. Dr. Farhat Abbasi, along with his team, Prof. Dr. Mumtaz Jamshid Associate Dean PGME, Prof. Dr. Rasheeda Ahmad, Dr. Saeeda and Dr. Anwar Saddiqi.
The team was given presentations regarding undergraduate and postgraduate medical curricula presently offered in medical field, mode of professional education, teaching, training and research under AKU.
Vice Chancellor Khyber Medical University showed great interest in Problem Base Learning mode of the university at undergraduate level. The session lasted for two hours and both side discussed mutual interests in medical and health education. Vice Chancellor Khyber Medical University requested AKU that being role model in the relevant field Khyber Medical University will need their assistance in establishing Institute of Medical and Health Education.
The team then visited different departments of the AKU including Learning Recourse Centre, Clinical skills Workshop and Nursing School. Click here for visit Schedule
Our ‘Journey of Search and Research’ yielded all the desirable fruits! A part of the ‘Search’ was soul searching but the most important part of the ‘Search’ was search of ‘friends and partnerships’. On a personal note, I am very happy to report that KMU found a host of friends and willing partners to give her a helping hand.
We had specific objectives while visiting the leading institutions of the country. We wanted to update ourselves on the latest trends in curriculum, mode of instruction and evaluation in undergraduate medical education and systems currently in practice in AKU, Ziauddin University and Shifa College of Medicine. KMU is in process of establishing Institute of Basic Science to start MPhil and PhD programs, Institute of Medical and Health Education, Skill Development Workshop and Learning Resource centre. Dow University of Health Sciences and Lahore University of Health Sciences have many good models to emulate and we learnt a lot. These universities and Quaid e Azam University offered us generous help in starting the programs in basic sciences. Lahore university of Health Sciences offered a good model for administering various examinations.
“We meet at a college noted for knowledge, in a city noted for progress, in a state noted for strength, and we stand in need of three, for we meet in a hour of change and challenge, in a decade of hope and fear; in an age of both knowledge and ignorance. The greater our knowledge increases, the greater our ignorance unfolds,” said JF Kennedy when he declared “We choose to go to moon” at Rice University Houston, Texas. This is surely very true for our mission and our journey; I am no JFK and KMU is not choosing to go to moon but the task before us is equally gigantic and demanding and perhaps far more important.
I am very proud of being a part of the fraternity which is so kind and hospitable! We found everyone most accommodative and convivial. Everyone was most welcoming -rolling red carpets for us and extra ordinarily generous. The generous offer of help in all the fields has been appreciated by all the members of KMU team. With the help in human resource and infra structure we shall be able to find an attire for our dreams in the near future.
“We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self discipline and effort”, said Jesse Owens winner of four gold medals in the Olympics of 1936. We believe, it still holds true and we should see realization of our dreams by putting our heart and soul into KMU under the guidance offered by our friends in arms.
Prof Dr Mohammad Hafizullah
Vice Chancellor
Khyber Medical University
Peshawar
The excitement of visiting one of the best universities in the country prompted us to be there even before the scheduled appointment. This was the first stop of our ‘Journey of Search and Research’. Principals of all public medical colleges and Deputy Dean Postgraduate Medical Institute of NWFP got together under the umbrella of Khyber Medical University to visit the leading medical universities and colleges all over the country to study their undergraduate and postgraduate systems. The aims were clearly defined and everyone was carrying a carefully developed handbook with latest information on the current systems and specially designed assessment forms for different institutions.
Twelve members delegation was warmly welcomed by the ever smiling and welcoming dean of Aga Khan University Prof Farhat Abbass. After settling in his office around a conference table a series of presentations were made to update the audience. Prof Farhat Abbass, leading Urologist surgeon of the country, elaborated on the international and national efforts of AKU in social and educational spheres. He presented a holistic view of Aga Khan efforts in global perspective.
Dr Mumtaz, deputy Dean postgraduate education, presented a well prepared talk on efforts made by AKUH in this field. The renowned ENT surgeon, proud graduate of AKU, deliberated on residency program: the selection process, the essentials of residency program, and the continuous assessment and evaluation. He explained the goals set for AKU and their achievements.
Dr Rasheeda, an active member of medical education department of AKUH, discussed the curriculum, mode of instruction and evaluation system being pursued at AKU undergraduate program. The curriculum of AKU is based on the principles of adult learning and incorporates current Evidence-Based Medical Education concepts. AKU has adopted community oriented curriculum with PBL (problem base learning) mode of instructions in form of SGDs (Small Group Discussion). Curriculum is based on modules integrated with both vertically and horizontally. Modules are prepared by different committees comprising of teachers of the relevant subjects, discussed and vetted objectively and subjectively. Mode of instruction is predominantly PBL in SGD with occasional LCFs, class is divided in groups of eight students with one facilitator. There are occasional PSILT (Problem Solving Integrated Learning Tutorials) to look after students day to day problems regarding self learning and use of available learning tools. Practical are performed in Skill Labs while clinical training are performed over 200 trained patients for the purpose.
Assessment is performed by administering MCQs and SEQ are used for written examinations while OSCE and OSPE are used for oral practical examinations. The assessment of modules, facilitator and teachers are done by students through a feedback mechanism on a prescribed format, which students are trained from the first day with the surety that will not affect their academic carrier.
She discussed in details the changes introduced in the system. She answered all the queries and all the participants took keen interest in the discussion. Principals took keen interest in the program being followed in AKU and debated on pros and cons of problem based learning. The expert in medical education shared her views as to the changes observed with the change in the system of instruction. The participants were apprised of the continuous evaluation of curriculum and the process of modifying it as and when deemed necessary by the faculty. The dean, associate dean and Dr Syeda Kausar Ali answered questions raised by principals of various medical colleges. The participants were explained that every facilitator had to take one week mandatory educational skill development course with one month training offered by the Medical Education Department of University. Job confirmation was subject to the completion of this course.
The presentation of Prof Anwar Ali on ‘Research in AKU’ was very well received by the participants and was followed by a lively debate. He deliberated on the efforts to encourage research at all levels, the targets set for faculty and the research output of the AKU. The accomplished researcher highlighted the importance AKU attached to research in their undergraduate and postgraduate program. The participants were treated to generous hospitality and served tea and lunch in the dean’s office.
The discussion on various aspects of undergraduate medical education and experience of AKU engrossed the participants and it overshoot the stipulated written schedule. The members of the delegation appreciated the patience demonstrated by the hosts in answering all questions and advice offered by the faculty in pursuing the goal of changes in medical education being envisaged by KMU. 
The group was taken on an extensive tour of the college and the hospital after a group photograph at the famous footsteps. The delegation showed keen interest in the libraries, learning resource centre, various laboratories and auditorium. They visited the lecture halls, private rooms and clinics. A special treat awaited for them in the school of nursing, where Dr Roohi Gul took them around the skill development workshop and encouraged them to participate in PBL sessions being conducted in various sections. The delegation was very impressed by the facilities offered for the training of nursing staff and efforts made to inculcate higher values in their training.
The evening session, in the dining room of College of Physicians and Surgeons, Karachi, witnessed an intense discussion among the group members while performing SWOT exercise on AKU undergraduate medical program. Everyone appreciated the efforts made by the faculty of AKU in developing a new model of undergraduate medical education after a protracted process of consultations and deliberation. KMU delegation felt immensely indebted to the faculty for being very generous in their hospitality and opening all doors for further guidance and consultations for the future strategy of KMU. The delegation carried a lot of written material back home which the faculty of AKU was very magnanimous in sharing with KMU. No doubt the trip stimulated the principal to go back to blackboard and devise a new plan for up gradation of their undergraduate medical program while considering the experience of AKU.
The KMU team lead by Its VC arrived at about 9Am at DUHS. The VC of DUHS Prof Masood Ahmed Khan received the delegation of KMU. He welcomed the team and took the team to the committee room adjacent to his office.
Presentation by VC of DUHS
VC of DUHs gave a presentation on the establishment and achievements of the university. Presentation was based on the detail of establishment of DUHS its achievements over the past 5 years. At the end of presentation members of the team were presented shields of university by the VC. VC of KMU also presented a shield of KMU to the VC of DUHS.
Visit to Professional Development Centre
After the presentation the team of KMU visited the Professional Development Centre.. The centre has facilities for ACLS, BLS, PALS, ALSO and PTC. The skill learning cell also has facilities for basic surgical skills, ob gyne skills, orthopaedic skills, nursing skills, and neonatal resuscitation skills. The team was briefed on the importance of clinical skills laboratory. The students learn clinical skills and basic procedures on the models. Once the students become confident then they are safe to carry out these on actual patients. This is now the preferred practice in most of the modern health sciences institutions. The team took special interest how the students learn to give i/m, i/v and intracardiac injections safely.
Examination Section
The KMU team was briefed on the examination system of DUHS. The team was told that the centre declares the results within 6 weeks after starting the examination. The section is totally computerised and MCQs have replaced the essay questions. This has brought considerable objectivity in the evaluation.
Visit to Library
The team then visited the library. The team was told that there about 100 computers in the LRC. All these computers had internet connection and have access to HEC digital library and access to PERN. The centre is open 24 hours a day. 
Visit to OJHA campus of DUHS
The team left for OJHA campus at about 11:30am. After arrival the team was give a presentation on the facilities available at OJHA campus.
Dow International Medical College
DUHS has established Dow International Medical College. The college admits 100 students from abroad who have Pakistani background. It has its own faculty and affiliated hospital.
DOW institute of Nursing
The team then visited the Institute of Nursing. It has recently been constructed with the financial and technical help of HEC. The nursing Institute has a very well equipped LRC and laboratories. Currently it is only allowed to run the 2 years post RN program and admits 50 students . It will soon start the 4 years BSc program.
DOW diagnostic Centre
The team also visited the diagnostic centre in the OJHA campus of DUHS. It has state of the art diagnostic and imaging facilities. Most of the samples come from the various collection points of DUHS facilities. The most important facility was the molecular biology laboratory. This has the most up-to-date equipment with equally qualified staff to run it.
Conclusions
The visit to DUHS was an eye opener for the team. How an public sector university has achieved in such a short period of time.
It also revealed the very close cooperation and support of the provincial government for the university.
The ability of the administration of DUHS to access to the purse of HEC.
A team led by Prof. M. Hafizullah, Vice Chancellor of Khyber Medical University, Peshawar visited Zia-ud-Din University (ZU) Medical College, Karachi on 2nd June 2009 in a journey for "Search and Research" in medical education. Main purpose of the journey was to study the curricula and different methodologies in teaching and assessment used by various private and public sector Medical Universities of Pakistan. This was done in order to bring the curriculum, teaching and learning methodologies and assessment methods of KMU affiliated medical colleges in line with the 21st century. 
The group was welcomed by Vice Chancellor of ZU. Senior Faculty members of ZU were present during the briefing in order to answer any queries from the KMU team members. A presentation was given by Prof. N. A. Jaffarey regarding the steps taken by his team to develop a curriculum that represented the latest in international medical education. He informed the team that ZU was the first to introduce Problem Based Learning (PBL) in Pakistan as early as 1996. International Faculty from UK was involved in the development of the curriculum for ZU and initially this international faculty was also invited to examine the medical students studying at ZU. The presentation was followed by an intense questions and answer session between KMU team members and faculty of ZU in order to clarify the new concepts being used by ZU and forge partnership for future collaboration and partnership between the two universities. 
After the presentation, the KMU team members were given a tour of the medical college. They were taken to the main auditorium that has a seating capacity of 300 people. The team also visited the laboratories and basic sciences department and interacted with the faculty members. Team members also observed PBL sessions being conducted and were impressed by the quality of the sessions. At the end, the Vice Chancellor of ZU hosted a lunch in honor of KMU team members and presented a shield of ZU to the Vice Chancellor of KMU. Vice chancellor of ZU also promised to help KMU in training its faculty members in basic sciences (for M Phil and PhD degrees). 
Academic Structure and Activities at ZU:
Curriculum: This medical college is using the integrated, community oriented curriculum that follows the hybrid model of PBL (problem based learning), LCF (large class formats), Practicals, SGD (small group discussions) and community visits. However, PBL is by far the leading learning strategy used by ZU. There is considerable integration between the basic sciences, community health sciences and clinical disciplines in PBL sessions. The curriculum is therefore designed in modular form and different modules representing various systems to be covered in integrated fashion are sequenced in the curriculum to cover all aspects of basic medical sciences in clinical context in the first two years of training. The Curriculum committee of the Medical College oversees the whole curriculum and also sets the learning objectives for each year as well as terminal objectives at the end of the final year. Family medicine, Community Health Services and behavioral sciences including medical ethics, communication skills, stress management etc are all included in the curriculum. 
Instructional strategies: PBL is the main learning methodology used as ZU. Various modules and PBL are designed by the faculty members and then presented to and critiqued by the specialist committee comprising of senior faculty members. These are modified as advised by the specialist committee and then sent to the PBL bank for use later on in the different modules. LCF and SGD as mentioned above are also used for teaching. Life long learning habit is inculcated in the students as well as faculty. 
Assessment: The Examination Committee supervises the Medical Examination Department as per international guidelines. Examinations are structured and objective according the latest International guidelines. Test materials are sent by faculty members to the Examination Department. These are sent to the specialist committee and after through discussion and critique, if approved, are sent to the computer data bank. MCQs and SAQ are used for written examinations while OSCE and OSPE are used for oral/ practical examinations. Questions for the examinations are selected by special computer software according to the Table of Specifications (TOS) and learning objectives covered by the course. This is done so that the whole of the course is covered in the examination according to the weightage given in the TOS.
Continuous assessment is also performed throughout the year (by periodic tests) and carries 20% marks in the final examination. 
Medical Education Department and Faculty Development: ZU has a strong Department of Medical Education that not only helps in the development of curriculum, modules, PBL and assessment tools but is also actively involved in Faculty Development of the Medical College.
ZU has also established M Phil and PhD program for the instructors of the Medical College as well as outsiders in order to be prepared for the future need of PhD faculty in basic medical sciences including pathology, biochemistry, physiology etc. First year course is the same for all basic scientists and it also covers research methodology. English Department helps those who need improvement in English language.
Community Health Services: The Community Health Services is strong at ZU and all the students are taken to a nearby squatter colony for community health training. Concepts of primary health care, epidemiology and analytic epidemiology training starts from year one and in year two and three basic and inferential biostatistics and research methodology are taught. Research projects are to be started in third year and completed in fourth year.
SUMMARY:
In the journey for soul searching, we found that we have lagged far behind not only from rest of the world but also from Institutions within our own country. While most of the medical Institutions in Pakistan have adopted the integrated horizontal organ system model of 1950s or the PBL based learning of 1970s and clinical presentation model of 1990s, we in NWFP are still using the discipline based model of 1870s. It is mind boggling that our faculty in NWFP is still debating whether we should adopt the PBL and clinical presentation model or not rather that out rightly rejecting the antiquated system being currently used in our medical schools. After a great deal of soul searching the answer that came out loud and clear was "it is not a matter of if but when the latest educational techniques will be introduced into the public sector medical colleges of NWFP".
Another area that we lag far behind is medical research. Despite being a medical university for two years, KMU still lacks PhD level faculty to do research in medical field. Other Universities have taken an initiative in this field as well and are successfully training their instructors in basic medical sciences with some enrolled for M Phil while others for PhD. We also need to establish well equipped laboratories for authentic research in medical sciences so that we can produce indigenously trained PhD staff to introduce KMU internationally.
Regarding collaboration with various Universities, it is suggested that Aga Khan University (AKU) and Zia-ud-Din University (ZU) models be used for medical school teaching and learning methods while Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) Islamabad and ZU Karachi can help us in training our doctors for M Phil and PhD. An MOU can be signed with QAU in this regard so that heir faculty members can train our scholars as co-supervisors who would then join our medical colleges and train future scholars in NWFP. Department of Medical Education of AKU and ZU can be involved in helping our medical colleges make a curriculum that is problem based and examination system based on MCQs, SAQ and OSCE.
University of Health Sciences, Lahore regulates and coordinates the activities of medical and health education, training & research institutions throughout the province of Punjab. It is the only institution offering specialization in medical, dental, nursing, bio-medical engineering and paramedical education in the province of Punjab.
The University is, presently holding affiliation of 28 Medical & Dental Colleges, 07 Institutes of post graduate education, 20 Allied Health Sciences and 05 post graduate Nursing Colleges, of both public and private sectors, located in different cities of the province of Punjab.
The Khyber Medical University team was received by the Lt. Col. Jawaid Iqbal TI(M),
Director (Admin & Coord). The team was lead to the committee room where Vice Chancellor UHS, Prof. Malik H Mubbashar HI, SI welcomed accompanied by some senior faculty members.
The team was presented details of the university; her vision, mission and achievements in the field of academics, training and research. Presently the curriculum of medical education is based on conventional annual system. While examinations system is based on MCQs and SEQs. From Annual 2008 Examinations, the University of Health Sciences has replaced the Practical component with Objectively Structured Performance Evaluation (OSPE) as OSPE will help in standardizing the evaluation process and making it more objective.
The major achievement of UHS is the examinations process; the university declares the result within 48 hours of the submission of last practical result. For each question, a separate answer book is provided to the student having a code bar. Questions marking is centralised in a very well facilitated place within the examinations section. 
University has developed a well equipped learning resource centre, skilled lab and a number of research labs of basic medical sciences running under the supervision of very experienced and highly qualified research faculty. UHS has produced a significant number of PhD scholars and a lot of MPhil scholars in basic sciences.The faculty was very generous in offering an all out support to KMU especially in basic sciences.
The visiting team was entertained to a sumptuous meal in the cafeteria.
5th day of tour, 5th June 2009, the team visited the one of last two selected institutions in capital territory Islamabad i.e. Shifa College of Medicine Sector H-8/4 Islamabad.
SHIFA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, ISLAMABAD.
This college is running under Shifa Foundation, established in 1998 with in the premises of Shifa International Hospital. It is PM&DC recognised college offering MBBS Bahria University.
In the college, the Khyber Medical University team was received by Prof. Dr. Aslam, Principal of the College. After formal introduction of the team with the senior faculty members of the college in the committee room, Dr. Tara Jeffery, Associate Professor and Associate Dean Curriculum, made a presentation on the learning, teaching and training strategies of the College.
They have developed their endogenous system based on their needs, a modular integrated curriculum with spiral vertical integration (iterative revisiting of topics) with following Learning strategies.
- Cased Based Instructions
- Curriculum is delivered mainly by:
- Small groups including PBL (as a learning strategy)
- Large group interactive sessions
- Integrated practical sessions
- Clinical Skills sessions
- Clinical rotations / clerkships
- Electives
She informed the team that before switching over to this self learning strategy, the task force put in tremendous efforts and held hectic exercises. Initially they established curricula integration task force then developed basic modules, and started as a pilot project through implementation task force.
Assessment:
She explained the formative assessment is system based, consisting of system based modular curriculum for both continuous assessments (weightage 40%) throughout year and professional examinations (weightage 60%). Written examination consists of integrated MCQs and SEQs. Practical Examinations is based on Integrated Practical Examination (IPE) / OSCE consisting of integrated, interactive and multidisciplinary stations. Clinical Assessment: is done at the end of clerkship assessment and professional exam of final year, consisting of Long Case, Short cases and OSCE.
After presentation the forum was opened for discussion. The Vice Chancellor and his team asked different questions from the faculty members in connection to implementation of the integrated PBL based curriculum. The team was informed that initially they were reluctant but after understanding the objectives of self learning now they were quite comfortable.
The team after light refreshment visited different departments of the college. The team appreciated the learning resource centre and skill development laboratory of the college.
Quaid-e- Azam University was the last stop on our ‘Journey of Search and Research’ scheduled for Friday evening in their sprawling campus. The delegation was warmly received by the Registrar of the university. Dr. Aliya H Khan accompanied by Prof. Dr. Fayyaz Chudhary, Dean Faculty of Biological Sciences, Prof. Dr. Abdul Hameed Dr. Salman Akbar Malik, Associate Professor and Dr. Irfan Zia Queshi, Assistant Professor.
The formal meeting started in the spacious committee room under the chairmanship of Dean of Biological Sciences. 
After formal introduction from both sides the chairman welcomed the participants. The VC of KMU explained that Khyber Medical University was in process of establishing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences to offer M Phil and PhD programs to meet the dearth of qualified human resource required to teach these subjects in Medical colleges and allied health science institutes. He dilated that NWFP had limited capacity in basic sciences and they wished to develop bonds with distinguished universities like QAU to help them in starting the program. He conveyed that they were specifically looking for co supervisor ship in basic medical fields like Microbiology, Biochemistry and molecular biology and genetics. 
The chairman Prof. Dr. Fayyaz Chudhary, Dean Faculty of Biological Sciences offered generous help in the fields of biomedical sciences but explained that most staff members were booked for the coming five years and expressed their inability to offer supervisor ships at present. But he explained that the proposal of co supervisor ship can be considered and a memorandum of understanding can be signed between the two universities.
The Registrar Dr. Aliya H Khan explained the current situation and the future plans of QAU. She expressed the explicit willingness of QAU to extend maximal help to KMU .
The chairman of Microbiology Dean Faculty of Biological Sciences along with Prof. Dr. Abdul Hameed Dr. Salman Akbar Malik, Associate Professor and Dr. Irfan Zia Queshi, Assistant Professor welcomed the delegates and offered all out help for the emerging institutions. He informed that many doctors from NWFP were under his tutelage for PhD.
He explained in details the facilities for research available at QAU and reiterated that they could be made accessible to KMU scholars with prior arrangements. 