Latest news with #PM&DC
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
PMDC refutes MDCAT fee hike claim
The Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC) has announced that the Medical & Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) 2025 will be held on October 5. In a statement issued on Saturday, PM&DC also dismissed rumours of an 80 per cent fee hike as "false and misleading", clarifying that only a nominal increase has been made to cover the operational costs of conducting the exam, including security and logistics. The council clarified that the fee has increased modestly and gradually over the years. In 2024, the fee was Rs8,000 and for 2025, it has been set at Rs9,000. The Rs1,000 increment represents a 12.5% rise, not 80% as incorrectly circulated on social media. Meanwhile, registration for the exam will be open from August 8 to August 25, with a late registration window available until September 1, 2025. The MDCAT 2025 will be conducted in English in a paper-based format, featuring 180 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with no negative marking. The MDCAT exam will be conducted by universities nominated by federal and provincial authorities, not by PM&DC itself. However, PM&DC, as the regulator, has developed a uniform syllabus for the exam in consultation with all stakeholders, including federal and provincial authorities. The council said that it has also invested heavily in developing a question bank based on the common syllabus agreed upon by the provinces. The fee revision was made at the request of the examination-conducting universities, citing rising costs of paper printing, enhanced security protocols, logistical arrangements, payments for examiners, invigilators, administrative staff and ensuring adequate seating and facilities for candidates nationwide and at international venues. Moreover, the council said it has taken a balanced approach to keep the exam accessible to all candidates while maintaining quality and integrity in the testing process. The statement added that the council was committed to transparent, responsible and merit-based admissions, ensuring equal opportunities for all aspiring medical and dental students. The MDCAT will be conducted through the following universities: University of Health Sciences, Lahore (for Punjab); Sukkur IBA University, Sukkur (for Sindh); Khyber Medical University, Peshawar (for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa); Bolan University of Medical & Health Sciences, Quetta (for Balochistan); and Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad (for Islamabad Capital Territory, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and for international candidates in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). Candidates must carefully select one city/centre for the MDCAT and complete their application with all required information or the online system will reject it. The test will be a paper-based, multiple-choice exam conducted in English, consisting of 180 questions with no negative marking.
Express Tribune
19-03-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
PM&DC president registers his own honorary degree in apparent misuse of authority
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC), the country's top regulatory body for medical education, is facing severe backlash after its president, Dr. Rizwan Taj, allegedly registered his own honorary degree in violation of the council's policies. The incident has sparked outrage within the medical community, with experts calling it a blatant misuse of authority and a direct attack on the credibility of the regulatory body. PM&DC has long maintained a strict policy against recognizing honorary degrees, as well as qualifications obtained through online or distant learning, both from local and international institutions. In 2020, the council rejected a similar request to register an honorary degree for a special advisor to the Prime Minister, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining academic standards. However, in an unprecedented move, Dr. Rizwan Taj allegedly registered his own honorary degree, reportedly awarded by PM&DC itself. This act has raised serious concerns about transparency and governance within the institution. Sources reveal that Dr. Rizwan Taj's actions are part of a larger plan to secure the position of Vice Chancellor at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU), for which he has already been shortlisted. Currently serving as Dean on an extension at SZABMU while also holding the position of PM&DC President, his dual roles have raised ethical concerns and highlighted a clear conflict of interest. It is further reported that Dr. Taj also secured his Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the same university where he holds a key administrative position, further strengthening accusations of abuse of power. Medical experts and critics have termed this act a 'colorable exercise of power,' which not only undermines the credibility of PM&DC but also questions the fairness of the selection process for the SZABMU Vice Chancellor position. Furthermore, Dr. Taj's alleged reluctance to address the rising fees imposed by private medical colleges is being viewed as a strategic move to avoid conflict with influential stakeholders in the medical education sector, which could jeopardize his ambitions for the VC position. The College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP), a key institution for specialist training, also awards honorary fellowships. However, PM&DC has never registered such degrees in the past. By registering his own honorary degree, Dr. Taj has set a dangerous precedent that threatens the transparency and credibility of the regulatory body. The incident has triggered widespread anger within the medical fraternity, with demands for an independent investigation to hold Dr. Taj accountable. Many believe that such actions will have long-term consequences on the quality of medical education and the credibility of Pakistani medical degrees both locally and internationally. Medical professionals and stakeholders are now urging the government to take immediate action to prevent further misuse of authority within PM&DC and restore the integrity of the institution. As the controversy continues to unfold, the future of Pakistan's top medical regulatory body hangs in the balance. Contacted Dr Rizwan Taj to take his verdict regarding said issue but yet not get any response from his side.
