Khyber Medical University students demand recognition for degrees

PESHAWAR: A large number of MPhil graduates and students of the Khyber Medical University – Institute of Basic Medical Sciences have demanded official recognition of their degrees, and stated that the university's management has not ensured the recognition of their degrees by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).

The students who have completed their MPHIL degrees or awaiting their degrees issued a press statement recently. They objected that “The management of the Khyber Medical University (KMU) has failed to deliver on its promises.

The press statement highlighted that; Many MPhil scholars have completed their coursework and defended their research work but the KMU is still not awarding them the MPhil degrees.

What worries these students is the fact that KMU Principal Prof. Dr. Hafeezur Rehman was unable yet to get the varsity’s degrees recognised by the PMDC. “The future of highly qualified scholars is at risk for which the KMU management is to be blamed.” The students said; the delay in getting the degree recognised was being caused by the KMU management’s disinterest because the PMDC had no issue in extending the recognition.

“We request the higher authorities of the provincial government to look into the matter and rescue us from this situation,” the MPhil scholars demanded. “We ask the KP health minister, Shaukat Yousafzai, to ask the PMDC to visit KMU and ensure the recognition of MPhil degrees.”

The scholars said they could not qualify for any promotion or apply for higher-grade positions in public or private sector hospitals, due to non-recognition of their MPhil degrees. “It is a great injustice on part of the KMU management.