The University of Health Sciences (UHS) will release the first college-wise selection list of admissions in private sector medical and dental colleges in Punjab on January 08.
It was approved by the Provincial Admission Committee in a meeting held here at the University of Health Sciences (UHS) on Friday.
The meeting was, chaired by Secretary Specialized Health Care Ali Jan Khan, convened to address the admission processes for medical and dental colleges in Punjab.
Vice-Chancellors from all public medical universities were present at the meeting.
During the session, the Provincial Admission Committee approved the initial selection list for private medical and dental colleges.
The first joint selection list for these colleges will be released on January 8th.
Committee members were informed that the minimum merit for medical colleges in the first list is 79%, while for private dental colleges, it stands at 76%.
Secretary Health Ali Jan Khan emphasized the government's commitment to implementing centralized admissions in private colleges, ensuring the application of merit in all aspects.
Vice-Chancellor of UHS, Professor Ahsan Waheed Rathore, disclosed that 40 private medical and dental colleges have submitted signed undertakings regarding fee refunds and transfers.
However, those who haven't submitted undertakings will have their fees handled by UHS.
In case of upgradation, private colleges will not be allowed to make any cuts in the fee for aspirants.
The committee also granted conditional approval to convert vacant foreign seats in private medical colleges to open merit under PMDC regulations. Local candidates will be admitted on merit, and the fees for these seats will be open merit-based.
The meeting also deliberated on private colleges violating the centralized admission policy, with Secretary Health Ali Jan Khan instructing UHS to keep the public and candidates informed through advertisements and social media about all developments.
The Admission Committee further permitted private medical colleges to fill vacant foreign seats under the condition that candidates sign an affidavit, and UHS will also be informed.
Secretary Health mentioned that after the completion of the admission process, a report will be presented to the provincial cabinet.
The meeting witnessed virtual participation from VCs of medical universities, including Prof Muhammad Omar (RMC), Prof Khalid Masood Gondal (FJMC), Prof Masood Sadiq (UHS), Prof Nadia Naseem (NMU), Prof Sarah Ghaffar (Registrar, UHS), and Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Waseem (Deputy Secretary Medical Education).
Vice-Chancellors of RUMC, FMU, and NMC also participated via video link.