Tag: (NUMS)

Rawalpindi, December 06, 2021 (PPI-OT):On Friday, October 15th, 2021 the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities arranged the event of Shan-e-Aqdas Naat and Qirat Competition under the guidance of Ms. Saira Javed (Lecturer – Clinical Psychology) at the National University of Medical Sciences, PWD Campus. Worthy Chief Guest Pro VC Academics Maj Gen Saleem Ahmed Khan (R) was invited as Chief guest. NUMS Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities and Biological Sciences grace the event by their presence.

Ms. Warda Waheed and Ms. Maida Arif from Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences performed the duties of stage secretary. The sequence of the competition followed four Qirat and thirteen Naat participants from the Departments of Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, Psychology, and Public Health. The event was open to all the University personnels. Zoom link was also generated through which individuals celebrate the event together.

The event was organized to pay our respect to the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) during the holy month of Rabbi ul Awwal. It was tried to keep the event interactive as the audience was regularly requested to join the participants to recite Durood Sharif. A voluntary member from audience was also requested to recite something of their choice.

The participants’ performances were marked according to the criteria set by the judges that were discussed beforehand. Dr. Irum Monis (Judge for Naat Competition) from Quality Assurance Directorate and Mr. Waheed Rashid (Judge for Qiraat Competition) from Digital Technologies Directorate were requested to be the judges for the competitions. Ms. Afra Waleed from Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences got first position in Qiraat Competition and Mr. Abdullah Khan from Department of Public Health stood first in Naat Competition.

The participants were encouraged and awarded prizes from the honourable chief guest. The event was closed as the Dean Prof. Dr. Azam Choudhry thanked the Chief Guest for his presence and appreciated the participants and hosts of the events. On their way-out audience was served refreshments and the management team from Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences wrapped up the event setup.

For more information, contact:
National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS)
The Mall, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9270677
Email: info@numspak.edu.pk
Website: http://numspak.edu.pk

Rawalpindi, December 03, 2021 (PPI-OT):The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) of Higher Education Commission (HEC) emphasizes on universities to maintain/enhance the quality of teaching and learning to achieve the international compatibility and competitiveness of their academic programs through on-site review/inspection of MS/MPhil/Equivalent and PhD (level 7 and 8) programs.

A HEC’s Panel of Experts comprising Prof. Dr. Tauseef Rajput, Dean, Shifa Tameer-e- Millat University, Islamabad, Prof. Dr. Syeda Kauser Ali, Professor Medical Education, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, and Dr. Allah Rakha, Director QEC, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, along with HEC Representative/Coordinator, Ms Humaira Quddus visited NUMS for Postgraduate (PG) Programs Review on November 24-25, 2021.

During the visit, the Panel undertook detailed inspection of five PhD, two Masters and eleven Master of Philosophy programs, covering the review of NUMS’ academic policies/procedures, curricula of programs, frequency of the meetings of statutory bodies, compliance to various clauses of the University Act and faculty/students’ dossiers, as per the HEC requirements.

On arrival to NUMS, the Panel was welcomed by Director QA, Air Cdre Muhammad Ismail, SI(M), (Retd), Director Academics, Prof Dr Dilshad Ahmed Khan SI(M), (Retd) and Dr Erum Monis, Assistant Director QA. An opening meeting with NUMS’ core team under the Chairmanship of Pro Vice Chancellor (Adm), Maj Gen Syed Ammar Reza Hamdani, HI (M), (Retd) was held. The Chair welcomed the HEC’s Panel. Director QA delivered a presentation on ‘Introduction to NUMS’ during the meeting.

The Panel worked in Program Review Activity Room. All required documents were provided by QA Directorate after collection from constituent institutions of NUMS, namely, Army Medical College (AM College), Armed Forces Postgraduate Medical Institute (AFPGMI) and Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) where, currently, postgraduate programs are being conducted.

After documents review, the Panel proceeded to AM College, where the Principal, Maj Gen Sayed Nusrat Raza, HI(M) and his team led by Brig Amir Rasheed, Head of Local Quality Enhancement Cell (L-QEC) warmly welcomed and briefed the panel on various activities undertaken by the prestigious institution for the improvement of teaching, learning and assessment of programs.

The Panel members met with the Deans and Heads of Departments (HoDs), the faculty and PG students in separate sessions and heard their comments and suggestions. Later, ‘MARKS’ (Multimedia Assessment of Realistic Knowledge and Skills) for conducting professional examinations was visited.

On the second day, the HEC’s Panel visited AFIP. After an introductory meeting with Commandant/Dean AFIP, Maj Gen Hafeez Ud Din HI(M), team was led by Head of L-QEC, Maj Gen Irfan Ali Mirza, to inspect various facilities available for the PG students; classrooms, library, laboratories and READ (Research, Ethics and Academics Department).

The Panel met at VC’s Secretariat for compilation of the Review Report, wherein Provost (QA and RD), Prof Dr Syed Mehmood Raza, Registrar, Brig Dr Azhar Shams, TI (M), (Retd), Director Academics, Director Research Prof Dr Aisha Mohyuddin, Director Digital Technologies, Mr Khurram Shahzad and Representative of HR Dte were interviewed.

An exit meeting took place at VC’s Secretariat, chaired by the Vice Chancellor NUMS, Lt Gen Syed Muhammad Imran Majeed, HI (M), and (Retd). The Panel Chairperson briefed the VC on the salient findings of the review visit. The VC appreciated the efforts put in by the Panel and assured the Panel of compliance to its recommendations in letter and spirit for further improvement of the NUMS Programs.

For more information, contact:
National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS)
The Mall, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9270677
Email: info@numspak.edu.pk
Website: http://numspak.edu.pk

Rawalpindi, December 03, 2021 (PPI-OT):NUMS Department of Biological Sciences (NDBS) conducted a two-day activity on 25th and 26th November 2021 to celebrate World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW), with an aim to spread awareness about antibiotic resistance; a global public health concern. School, college and university students were engaged for these activities which included an agar art competition and a video competition. A webinar was also organized in which renowned speakers from prestigious institutes of Pakistan gave talks.

The two-day event opened with the recitation of Holy Quran followed by a welcome note by HoD NDBS, Dr. Muhammad Jawad Hassan, to the onsite participants which consisted of school, college and university students.

Dr. Jawad presented a detailed overview of the department and faculty. The department is committed to quality teaching and research and secured more than 80 Million of research grants in Biological Sciences, he told the house. Dr. Wasim Sajjad, the Program Coordinator, also presented a talk on science popularization to promote the culture of science in students.

Thirty-five (35) students from different institutes across Pakistan participated in the Agar Art Competition. They used colourful microbes as paint to create visual masterpieces on agar media. Twenty (20) participants submitted short video clips with a focus on spreading awareness regarding antibiotic misuse and resistance.

On second day of the activity, participants attended the online webinar online and onsite. Professor Aisha Mohyuddin (Dean Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies-MDS) welcomed the speakers, Dr. Saeed Khan, Professor of Pathology, Dow University of Health Sciences and Dr. Afrinish Amir, Technical Officer, NIH, Pakistan.

Dr. Aman Karim, Associate Professor, of NDBS moderated the webinar session. Speakers briefed the audience about the current scenario of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and future challenges for Pakistan. In the panel discussion Dr. Saeed Ahmed, Dr. Raees Khan and Dr. Liaqat Ali discussed the issue of misuse and overused of antibiotics and emphasized on finding the alternative to antibiotics by the collaborative research.

Professor Dr. Syed Mahmood Raza, Provost QA and RD, concluded the session and distributed cash prizes and certificates among the position holders who competed in agar art competition and video competition. The winners in Agar Art Competition were Rameesha Abid from Capital University of Sciences and Technology (CUST) (1st prize), Sidra Qamar (2nd prize) and Ayesha Noor (3rd prize), both from National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS).

In the video competition, the AFPGMI-NUMS team Muhammad Haseeb, Ahmed and Aman, secured 1st position, Fizza Maryam and Faiza Arshad from NUMS got 2nd position while Hawaid Ahmed and Rameen Saeed (A super-talented ten-year-old) shared the 3rd position prize. Professor Dr. Syed Mahmood Raza applauded the efforts made by Department of Biological Sciences and also appreciated the participants for their creative endeavors.

For more information, contact:
National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS)
The Mall, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9270677
Email: info@numspak.edu.pk
Website: http://numspak.edu.pk

Rawalpindi, November 29, 2021 (PPI-OT):National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) and Focus and Rulz have signed a Document of Understanding (DOU) here Wednesday which would help remove deficiency of the Private Sector in research and development to make it more competitive in the world. The DOU was inked by Vice Chancellor NUMS Lt Gen Syed Muhammad Imran Majeed (Retd) and Fazli Hanan, Chief Executive of Focus and Rulz at a simple ceremony.

Besides others Pro Vice Chancellor Administration Maj Gen Syed Ammar Reza Hamdani (Retd), Aisha Mohyuddin, Dean Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies and Director Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) Dr Awais e Siraj were present on the occasion. M/S “Focus and Rulz with the slogan “Health in Focus,” are “the first manufacturer of natural and herbal supplements in Pakistan that is dedicated to developing a full range of wellness products for multiple market segments,” said the DOU.

In his brief remarks on the occasion VC NUMS Lt Gen Syed Muhammad Imran Majeed (Retd) emphasized on the relationship between the academia and the industry, adding that NUMS had already initiated an extensive discussion in this regard. The job of the university is to carry out research and development to help the Private Sector develop some products while the later with its experience in the field can find markets for them.

“I think we will be judged by what we can do for our industry in the Private Sector. That will be the socio-economic impact of the university and a university should be judged by this way,” and not on the basis of its publications. Mr. Fazli Hanan in his remarks said NUMS was fully equipped with its scientists, state- of- the- art laboratory and financial resources to help the Private Sector in research and development as was being done by the universities across the globe.

“We lack two things in Pakistan. One is that we do not have the required resources for research and secondly, we do not have the required funds and human resources,” and this deficiency can be bridged by NUMS, said the CEO whose pharmaceutical companies are exporting medicines to 12 countries in East Europe, South Asia, West Africa and Cambodia.

The pharmaceutical companies have entered into understanding with NUMS which has the mandate to promote and achieve excellence in advanced health education, research and service delivery with an extensive network of Hospitals, Single Specialty Institutes and Medical Colleges as well as Nursing colleges.

Under the DOU it is “for a long-term relationship on research and development pertaining to healthcare including capacity building and training with special emphasis on pharmaceutical testing including bioequivalence studies, clinical trials and healthcare products development.”

For more information, contact:
National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS)
The Mall, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9270677
Email: info@numspak.edu.pk
Website: http://numspak.edu.pk

Rawalpindi, November 23, 2021 (PPI-OT):The NUMS Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities held its 15th session of “Samaaj Khayaal”- a monthly series, which aims to transcend disciplinary boundaries, find connections and bring to light issues of social relevance. The session titled “What and how much to eat to become healthy” was held on October 6th, 2021 at NUMS PWD Campus. Dr. Abdul Momin, who is a Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist and Public Health Specialist, had kindly consented to be the guest speaker. He is currently working as Assistant Professor at the NUMS Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. His areas of research interest include Public Health Nutrition, Obesity, Non-communicable Diseases and Micronutrient Deficiencies.

The session opened with Dr. Momin introducing the multidisciplinary onsite and online audience including students, faculty and management to the basic concepts related to nutrition, orienting them to the food types like Cereal, Oils and Fats, Fruits and Vegetables and Dairy etc. With the help of the idea of a food plate, he sensitized the audience to the various types of food and their appropriate and proportionate amount to be consumed in a day. Beginning with the “What to Eat”, he moved on with his presentation talking about “How to Eat” and highlighted key practices recommended by World Health Organization campaigns like “5 a day” to ensure one consumes at least 5 portions of fruits and vegetables in one day.

Similar to this is the concept of “eating a rainbow” which highlights the importance of eating different colours of fruits and vegetables. The guest speaker cited some researches to reflect the importance of a balanced diet and health benefits. He highlighted how non-communicable diseases (Diabetes) were prevalent in higher socioeconomic classes whereas there was more proportion of communicable diseases (like Malaria, Dengue) in the lower socioeconomic classes.

In between the presentation, the audience members discussed the many foods related myths and cultural practices in Pakistan. There was a discussion around emerging trends in dietary practices like KETO and also the benefits of intermittent fasting. One of the faculty members in attendance, an Assistant Professor in Economics, talked about the pandemic and related food security issues and questioned the issue of unaffordability resulting in inequitable access to food and appropriate dietary practices.

Some of the students of NUMS Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, who had joined online had specific questions related to chemical structures of the food elements, which were addressed by the guest speaker. At the end of the session, the guest speaker, owing to his experience in a clinical setup, also shared the common medical issues that people present at his clinic and the usual recommendations by him as a dietician.

For more information, contact:
National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS)
The Mall, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9270677
Email: info@numspak.edu.pk
Website: http://numspak.edu.pk

Rawalpindi, November 23, 2021 (PPI-OT):The NUMS Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities held its 14th session of “Samaaj Khayaal”- a monthly series, which aims to transcend disciplinary boundaries, find connections and bring to light issues of social relevance. The session titled “Cultural Heritage of Gilgit-Baltistan: Rock Carvings and Inscriptions” was held on September 22nd, 2021 at NUMS PWD Campus. Prof. Dr. Azam Chaudhary, who is currently serving as the Dean Social Sciences and Humanities and Professor of Anthropology at NUMS had kindly consented to be the guest speaker. With academic and professional expertise in Anthropology from University of Heidelberg, Germany and an extensive field research in the Gilgit Baltistan region, Dr. Azam took the audience to a journey of the region which boasts of a rich cultural heritage.

The session opened with Dr. Azam introducing the multidisciplinary onsite and online audience including students, faculty and management to the discipline of anthropology and its research approach i.e. field work and participant observation. Using the administrative and political maps of the region, he elaborated the various routes in Gilgit Baltistan region and the specific areas where rock carvings and inscriptions have been observed. Sharing anecdotes from the field, he also sketched the cultural context of the locale of his study which provided a glimpse into the political, religious, economic and social life of the people in the region.

Discussing the significance of the rock carvings and inscriptions, Dr. Azam shared how the different types of artistic expressions found on natural cliffs, rocks, caves and surface of boulders, provide a view of the past life which also facilitates an understanding of the present day social realities. These artifacts form a sequence from the early pre-historic time to the historic period and are mostly on black hard rocks.

Sharing pictures of a variety of rock art, the guest speaker uncovered the meanings behind the figure drawings, temples and inscriptions from different eras. He also narrated the stories of rituals, hunts and celebrations as observed in the rock carvings. He shared how project team members used to observe the rock art at different times of the day and night, owing to the changing sunlight and moonlight patterns that also changed the outlook of the rock art.

Following the presentation, audience asked the questions which were addressed by the guest speaker. It was discussed how the northern areas, along with providing a natural landscape of lakes, rivers, mountains and valleys was also home to a rich cultural heritage. An audience member mentioned how the various unplanned development projects should take into consideration the possible consequences to these rich cultural sites. Faculty and students alike highlighted the need to create awareness and sensitivity towards these artifacts and make attempts to document and preserve them. The session ended with informal interaction over tea.

For more information, contact:
National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS)
The Mall, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9270677
Email: info@numspak.edu.pk
Website: http://numspak.edu.pk