Lahore, The University College of Medicine and Dentistry (UCMD) at The University of Lahore (UOL) hosted the 7th International Conference on Health Professions Education (ICHPE) on November 2, 2023. The conference, a premier event in Pakistan’s medical education field, focused on the theme “The Value of Contextualisation in Health Professions Education,” in line with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) proposition of transforming health professions education.
According to The University of Lahore, the conference aimed to address the challenges of adapting medical education to the contextual needs of communities. It was organized under the leadership of Prof Dr. Mahwish Arooj, Principal of UCM, and welcomed distinguished guests like HE Mr. Muhammad Balighur Rehman (Governor Punjab, Pakistan), Prof Ricardo Leon Borquez (President, World Federation for Medical Education), Prof Salman Rawaf (President, International Association for Medical Colleges), Prof Dr. Javed Akram (Minister, Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education), and Prof Dr. Rizwan Taj (President, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council).
The event attracted over 400 registered participants, with an additional 1000 joining both online and in-person, in collaboration with 9 universities and 13 medical colleges. It featured 17 international and 18 national speakers, and 37 workshops were conducted prior to the conference day.
Dr. Arooj opened the conference with a welcome address, followed by remarks from Dr. Akram who appreciated UOL’s efforts in hosting the conference and emphasized the importance of such events in revising and improving medical curricula. Dr. Taj highlighted the need to improve medical education quality and the role of contextualization in Pakistan, particularly in providing individualized patient care. He also discussed PMDC’s ongoing reforms and called for collaboration with medical experts.
Prof Borquez shared his insights on contextualizing health professional education, and Mr. Awais Raoof, Chairman of the BoG, highlighted UOL’s contributions in producing medical professionals. The chief guest, Mr. Rehman, expressed his satisfaction with the growth of the ICHPE conference and its role in bridging gaps among global medical institutions.
The conference also recognized outstanding alumni and professionals with the MH Qazi Star Alumni Award, MH Qazi Innovation Award in Health Professions Education, and MH Qazi Excellence Award in Health Professions Education.
The conference’s sessions covered topics like accreditation systems, curriculum reforms in Pakistan, and empowering future leaders. The international and national speakers shared their expertise, contributing to the discourse on improving healthcare education.
The ICHPE served as a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences, fostering collaboration, and enhancing the quality of health professions education globally. It underscores UCMD and UOL’s commitment to elevating medical education to meet the dynamic needs of healthcare systems and communities.