Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU) Functioning without VC

Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU) is a public University in Islamabad, which is functioning without a permanent VC for last nine months. The current VC Prof. Dr. Abid Faooqi has notified the ministry of National Health Services (NHS) by writing a letter, and has urged to form a search committee to hire a permanent VC for the University. The University was previously functioning under ministry of Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and now it is department of the ministry of National Health Services (NHS).

As per the media reports, the decision of permanent VC has been hanging since its separation from CADD and PIMS. The University official said to press, “Future of hundreds of students is at stake as the legal status of the college, hospital and university is uncertain.”

The University was established in 2013 and Federal Medical and Dental College is its constituent institution. Its first VC was Prof. Dr. Javed Akram whose tenure lasted till 6th January 2018. The current VC Prof. Dr. Abid Faooqi who was Chancellor then took seat of an acting VC under Act 2013, sub clause (9) of clause 12-Chapter III of SZAMBMU, officers and their functions.

The letter received to the press reads,” “If the office of the vice chancellor is vacant or the vice chancellor is absent or is unable to perform the functions of the vice chancellor owing to any cause, the Acting Vice Chancellor shall perform the functions of the vice chancellor, My letter today is meant to highlight this particular issue for your attention. At this stage I would also like to point out that I myself have absolutely no intention to be one of the candidates for VC-ship. I will be only too glad to help in a smooth transition; I have been part of the committee and would like to see all issues resolved before a regular Vice Chancellor is appointed.”

SZABMU has eight medical and dental institutes affiliated to it such as: Rawal Institute of Health Sciences, Yusra Medical and Dental College, HBS Medical and Dental College, Islamabad Medical and Dental College, Bashir Institute of Health Science, Prime Institute of Health Sciences, Islamabad Institute of Health Sciences and Institute of Health and Management Sciences.

Its country rank is country rank is 138 and world rank is 10892. The university also offers HEC need based scholarships and PAKISTAN BAIT-UL-MAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE scholarships . Apart from medical and dental education the university also offers nursing courses . SZABMU has wide and organized educational system and is working quiteprogressively.

The University is organized to offer training programmes, Residency, M.phill and Phd courses in 32 branches of medicine, surgery and dentistry. The degrees awarded by SZABMU are completely registered with PM&DC and are also equivalent to international Medical qualifications such as: FRCP, MRCP and Diplomat American Boards.

The spokesman of NHS has stated that we are looking into the matter and soon it will be resolved.