University of Health Sciences Approves First Five-Year BDS Program

The University of Health Sciences (UHS) has introduced Pakistan’s first-ever five-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree program. The decision was made during a syndicate meeting chaired by UHS Vice Chancellor Prof. Ahsan Waheed Rathore on Thursday.

Previously, the BDS program in Pakistan spanned four years, unlike the five-year structure adopted in countries like the USA and UK. As a result, Pakistani graduates often needed additional qualifications to meet international standards. Aligning the program with global benchmarks addresses this discrepancy and enhances the recognition of Pakistani dental degrees worldwide.

The syndicate approved several key initiatives, including updates to curricula, faculty appointments, and institutional affiliations. Among the major decisions:

• Curriculum Updates: Approval of the 3.0 version of the modular, integrated MBBS curriculum for 2023 and skill-based, life-saving short courses in BDS, pharmacy, nursing, and allied health programs, expected to benefit around 150,000 students annually.
• Faculty Appointments: New appointments included Dr. Uruj Zehra (Professor of Anatomy), Dr. Sumaira Ehsan (Associate Professor of Medical Education), and others in forensic medicine, hematology, public health, and nursing.
• Regulations and Frameworks: The 2024 Regulations for MS, MD, and MDS Level III and IV programs were approved, with plans to expand UHS offerings to Level IV programs conducted by the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP).
• Institutional Affiliation: Affiliation of nursing programs at the Continental Institute of Nursing and the PKLI Institute of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences with UHS, enabling their graduates to receive UHS degrees.
• Expanded Seat Capacity: Seats at Akhtar Saeed Dental College were increased from 50 to 75.

Additionally, the syndicate emphasized standardizing nursing education by revisiting agreements between nursing colleges and hospitals. Private nursing institutions were urged to offer student stipends comparable to public colleges.

The meeting also addressed administrative matters, including provisional registration for postgraduate residents at Punjab’s government hospitals (2023–2024), amendments to UHS Service Statutes 2005, and approval of hostel and student health facility rules. A three-member panel was formed to oversee institutional affiliations, with the vice chancellor’s authority to appoint committee heads as needed.

Other participants in the meeting included Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nadia Naseem, Registrar Kiran Fatima, and representatives from Punjab’s specialized healthcare and finance departments.