3rd RMC International Scientific Conference inaugurated
Rawalpindi:March 25:The third Rawalpindi Medical College International Scientific Conference inaugurated here on Friday at New Campus of RMC under which young researchers’ forum, thematic symposium, satellite symposium and three scientific sessions were held on the first day of two-day scientific programme.
At the inaugural session of the international scientific conference, Chairman Scientific Committee Professor Fareed Aslam Minhas gave introduction to participants about the conference while keynote speakers of thematic symposium include Professor Mussadiq Khan (Curriculum Committee, Pakistan Medical & Dental Council), Professor M Iqbal Khan (VC Shifa Tameer-i-Millat University), Professor Abid Farooqi (Vice-President PMDC), Professor Junaid Sarfraz (Pro-VC, University of Health Sciences), Professor Mujtaba Quadri (Dean Research and Academic Development, NUMS), Professor Rizwana Chaudhri (CPSP), Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed (Chairman HEC), Professor Shabbir Ahmed Lehri (President PMDC) and Professor Muhammad Umar (Principal RMC).
Talking of the theme of the conference ‘Expanding the horizons for medical education: Role of public sector institutions’, Professor Minhas said it is not only innovative but thought provoking. “It seeks to apprise the faculty members and medical students at a public sector institution for not only providing exemplary clinical services but also excellence in medical education.”
He added that in the recent years, the medical education all over the world is transiting through a revolution as regards to its concept and practice. Although, globally, there has been great innovations in this field, the situation in Pakistan remained at the lower priority at the medical institutions and more so at the public sector institutions.
He said public sector institutions in Pakistan are accredited to produce the best doctors and medical professionals all over the world who are second to none in their competence and passion about medicine. But there still remains a need that, public sector institutions make new strategies for the better professional grooming of the students. There is a need to introduce the most updated and effective outcome based curricula, innovative instructional strategies and effective assessment modalities in medical education in Pakistan, said Professor Minhas while giving introduction about the conference in the inaugural session.
Rawalpindi Medical College occupies a unique position in the public sector institution with a well-developed department of medical education employing the most recent component of integrated teaching and problem based learning to produce outcome based educational perspectives, he said.
He added that this is also a favourable time for medical professionals at RMC to interact with the movers and shakers in the corridors of power with respect to medical education of our country and take the right steps towards practicable solutions.
He added that this thematic symposium is yet another innovation and depiction of the futuristic vision of RMC. This conference and symposium in particular has gathered together the paragons of medical education from across the nation, said Professor Minhas.
Addressing the students and young doctors, he said you see before you people, who have earned laurels in the different dimensions of medical education and are currently stakeholders in the field nationally. “They will shed light on research, curriculum development, undergraduate and postgraduate education and examinations apart from other much important topics in medical education.”
He added that for 44 years, the RMC has served to polish and refine young minds before they embark on their journey of professional excellence in Pakistan and then, across the globe. “In these polished gems, who are all sons and daughters of RMC lay a vast untapped potential for contributing to their alma mater which is what we aimed to capture and capitalize on in this collaborative exploration of our mutual scientific future.”
He explained that his vision of the scientific committee has been to provide a platform to all those who came forward with a willingness to partake in this endeavour. My personal aim was to ensure that the faculty and students at RMC can maximally benefit from the vast knowledge and experience of our esteemed international delegates, he said.
“As promised, in the orchestration of the scientific program, I have used a combination of art and science. The nuts and bolts of the program include the high profile workshops bringing hands on information and knowledge from the forefront of latest medical advances, stimulating state of the art lectures and inspirational lectures and activities of the scientific program,” said Professor Minhas.
He added the organizing committee has successfully concluded 73 Pre-Conference Workshops in the fields of Medicine, Surgery and Allied Specialties in collaboration with international alumni. These workshops ensued from the 18th of February and concluded yesterday the 23rd of March, he said.
He said the present state of human knowledge available across the globe is based on scientific research and exchange of thoughts and ideas. “Various workshops conducted at the conference provided a unique opportunity for learning and experience.”
He informed the participants that the core scientific meeting (the scientific program of the conference) will consist of state of the art lectures, this inaugural thematic symposium, scientific sessions, and a concluding session. The scientific sessions will include 83 scientific papers that will be chaired by esteemed professors who were the pioneers in medical education and all specialties from across the nation.
He added that each session will consist of various guest lectures delivered by international as well as local speakers with the aim to inform, promote and globalize outstanding technological innovation, knowledge and research of medicine.
The special sessions in the programme will serve to open the gateway and build a bridge between the students of RMC (Young Rawalians) and International Rawalians in USA, UK, Australia, Middle East, Africa and other parts of the world.The news.
