Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) has finalised admissions to its MBBS and BDS Programmes-2008 and will hold introductory class for new entrants on September 29. DUHS Admission Programme Co-ordinator Dr Rana Qamar talking to newsmen said that regular classes for the two programmes would simultaneously begin at Dow Medical College, Sindh Medical College, Ishrat-ul-Ibad Institute of Oral Health Sciences and Dow International Medical College.
She urged the newly admitted students to necessarily attend the session scheduled for September 29 as it was meant to sensitise them about the two academic programmes and the respective requirements, introduction to their mentors (teachers), class schedule, section allocation etc.
"It would be immediately after the designated Eid ul Fitr holidays that regular lecture sessions will begin," she said. Giving details of admission granted against 426 general merit seats at Dow and Sindh Medical Colleges and 34 at Ishrat ul Ibad Institute of Oral Health Sciences respectively, the admission programme co-ordinator said those were strictly in accordance to the DUHS final merit list.
The list it-self, she said, was based on marks scored by the students in their intermediate exams as well as entry test conducted by the university. Dr Qamar said six of the students included among the first 426 in the DUHS final merit list withdrew their entitlement as had gained admission to Aga Khan University.
There were also two other girls, from among the top students, who when offered an option preferred to join Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Lahore, while 15 students withdrew their general merit sets at Sindh Medical College for Self Finance seats at Dow Medical College.
Four of the first 426 students, entitled to get admission in MBBS Programme opted for BDS programme and consequently all 25 vacant seats were filled by students, coming below 460 serial number in the announced merit list. The Admission Programme Co-ordinator mentioned that seats filled as per merit were followed by 30 reciprocal seats and 86 self-finance for MBBS and 12 for BDS respectively.
While all 86 seats, offered on self-finance basis for the university's MBBS programme, have also been filled there are still a few self-finance seats vacant in its BDS programme. Dr Qamar mentioned that all students granted admissions had deposited the required fees.
Responding to a query about option offered to candidates to acquire admission at Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Lahore instead of DUHS, she said as per Central Government's policy there were few seats reserved, every year, for girl students qualifying admission test in each of public sector medical college/university in the country.
"Parents and girls preferring not to study in co-education medical schools do prefer to join F.J. College," she said. Dr Qamar said there were two other girl students who went for the college in Lahore against self finance scheme. They had secured enough marks to get admission at DUHS self-finance seats.
In answer to another question, she said there were also seats reserved for disabled, one each at Dow Medical College and Sindh Medical College. These students also had appeared in the entry test and those scoring top marks from among other intending candidates with disability were given admission to the programme.