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 & PhD (level 7 & 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 & 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&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), (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.