Promoting culture of research in medical education dire need of the hour: Medical Educationists

It inspires me when I look at the progress that Khyber Medical University (KMU) has made, and the way it is moving ahead at such a fast pace in the areas of healthcare research and educational development, this was stated by Prof. Dr. Jack Boulet Vice President for Research & Data Resources (FAIMER) while talking as chief guest to the inaugural ceremony of 7th annual international medical education & research conference 2019 organized by KMU-IHPE&R. Besides participants from across the country, Vice Chancellor’s of KMU Prof. Dr. Arshad Javaid, Agricultural University Prof. Dr. Jehan Bakht, Bacha Khan University Prof. Dr. S.M Saqlain Naqvi, Technical Officer WHO EMRO Egypt Prof. Dr. Gohar Wajid, Principals of Public & Private Medical and Dental Colleges, faculty and students were present at the occasion.

Prof. Dr. Jack Boulet said, “I am thankful to KMU for providing a platform where all of us can learn, re-learn, reflect, and improve upon our practices. I am very hopeful that if we keep on questioning the value of past practices and embrace evidence-based educational reforms, KMU will eventually be ranked among the leading universities of the world”. “The innovations and excellence in the teaching, learning, curricular, and assessment strategies facilitated by KMU will be part of the change in health reforms not only in the Province but the whole country. The theme of this year’s KMU International Conference, Health Professions Education in Changing Times, is certainly timely”, he added.

He said, it is heartening to know that KMU has already started a faculty development programme, with excellent facilitators from different parts of the country and abroad. These faculty members will be the change agents for curricular reforms in Health Sciences reforms that will lead to the development of highly qualified health professionals who can compete in the global market and be a resource for the economic development of the country.

Prof. Dr. Jack Boulet added that KMU has an immense task ahead. Promoting and inculcating the culture of research in medical education in the Province is not, and will not be, easy. However, these efforts will not only promote the culture of excellence in research but will also expand the collaboration between different sister institutes.

While talking to the ceremony Chief Executive Officer of PGMI HMC, Peshawar as guest of honour Prof. Dr. Mahmud Aurangzeb said that he is extremely proud to see KMU playing a leading role towards promotion of health professions education and research particularly in the province and generally in the country. He said that change has been the essence of life since the beginning, but the pace of change in recent times has been unprecedented. It has become absolutely essential that we keep abreast with the significant curricular and organizational changes that have been taking place in the training institutions worldwide. The theme of the conference reflects the real need to change with the changing times. “I hope this conference will encourage all the faculty members to equip them in medical education, which has been made mandatory by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council”, he added.

Earlier VC KMU Prof. Dr. Arshad Javaid, Technical Officer WHO EMRO Prof. Dr. Gohar Wajid and Director IHPE&R Dr. Usman Mahboob also talked to the inaugural ceremony. In the end shields and souvenir of KMU were presented to the guests.