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JSMU lacks funds and space: Prof Tariq Ahmed

KARACHI: Vice-Chancellor (VC), Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Prof Tariq Ahmed, expressed his concerns regarding the lack of resources and funds at the JPMC, which is a hurdle in the way of imparting education at the varsity, he said.

Addressing a recent session, Prof Ahmed said that the JSMU is the only university that does not have a teaching college affiliated with it. Consequently, JSMU's students are left with no other option but to go to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for clinical practice.

According to Prof Ahmed, the government had announced the allocation of 20 acres of land for the varsity in the Education City on Super Highway. Still, the university is yet to be given possession of the property. Expressing grievances over the government's nonchalance, the JSMU VC said that the initially promised funds of Rs270 million by the government for the university had also been cut down to a meager Rs20 million.

He said that in 2018, Rs20 million worth of funds were released for the university. The varsity's administration had established a record number of new institutes at the JSMU around that time.

The VC also complained about the lack of space at the university’s campus, stressing the need for expanding the varsity’s boundaries.

"Although new institutes of family medicine, physiotherapy, medical education, and nursing have been established at the university's campus, we are challenged by an acute shortage of space," said Prof Ahmed.

He said that the JSMU is the largest medical university of Pakistan where more than 7,000 students are enrolled, adding that it is the first varsity in the country to have used video and audio records for semester examination, which ensures transparency.

“We are now conducting all examinations online,” he added.

- PR