LAHORE: The University of Health Sciences (UHS) has introduced stricter requirements for students seeking PhD Degrees. The university has made participation in academic conferences and seminars a mandatory condition before the award of a doctoral degree.
The decision was approved during the 227th meeting of the Advanced Studies and Research Board (ASRB). The meeting was chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof. Ahsan Waheed Rathore. University officials said the new policy is aimed at improving the quality of research and postgraduate education.
Under the revised criteria, PhD scholars must participate in at least three national conferences or seminars and one international conference or seminar before completing their studies. The university believes this requirement will encourage greater academic engagement and improve research standards.
The updated rules are part of broader reforms designed to strengthen PhD Degrees offered by UHS. Officials said exposure to national and international academic events will help researchers exchange ideas, build professional networks, and improve the quality of their research.
During the same meeting, the ASRB also approved four new competency-based PhD programs. These programs will be offered in Medical Education, Nursing, Oral Biology, and Public Health. The university said the new programs have been developed to meet modern healthcare and research needs.
The board also approved a revised curriculum for the Master of Health Professions Education (MHPE). In addition, members endorsed the new Certificate in Comprehensive Family Medicine Practice and Emergency Care (CCFP-EC) program.
The newly approved PhD Nursing program has been developed under the NURTURE Framework. It focuses on clinical leadership, teaching, research, healthcare policy, and professional ethics. Students enrolled in the program will complete 500 hours of clinical residency and 200 hours of teaching residency.
The curriculum also includes competency-based training and compulsory life-saving skills workshops. University officials said these practical components will help graduates develop stronger clinical and teaching abilities.
The PhD program in Public Health has been designed to address modern healthcare challenges. It covers disease prevention, health promotion, health system strengthening, implementation science, community-based research, and the use of artificial intelligence in public health.
Meanwhile, the PhD Oral Biology curriculum includes advanced subjects such as regenerative dentistry, stem cell research, craniofacial developmental biology, oral microbiology, oral immunology, dental forensic sciences, and biomaterials. The university expects the program to strengthen research capacity in dental sciences.
The newly approved six-month CCFP-EC program aims to improve the skills of general practitioners. It combines classroom learning with supervised clinical training, emergency care education, and mandatory life-saving workshops aligned with World Health Organization recommendations.
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UHS said these reforms reflect its commitment to raising academic standards and enhancing the quality of PhD Degrees and postgraduate education. The university believes the new policies and programs will better prepare graduates for research, teaching, and leadership roles in the healthcare sector.
