Lahore, January 06, 2023 (PPI-OT):With enough focus being placed on academics alone, a strong need was felt to redirect some of the emphasis towards the development of soft skills in medical students. For this purpose, the University College of Medicine and Dentistry (UCMD) initiated a comprehensive student development programme (SDP) that is aimed at providing an organised and supportive learning environment that can promote professional as well as personal growth. The SDP optimises student learning while cultivating a community of skilled learners.
The programme encompasses a series of workshops and seminars that stimulate students’ critical thinking, refine their interpersonal as well as leadership skills, and prepare them well for their professional lives with proper career counselling and apprenticeships.
What makes these seminars and workshops unique is the continuous evaluation. An evaluation form is shared at the end of each seminar, and based on the evaluation record, the programme is reviewed and improved periodically.
The development programme focuses on an array of necessary skills such as conflict resolution, problem solving, communication skills, CV writing, IT skills, presentation skills, social accountability, and professionalism. The SDP is also characterised by peer mentoring, career counselling, and entrepreneurial guidance.
As part of its SDP, UCMD recently organised a seminar in which Mr. Qasim Ali Shah (a motivational speaker) was invited to talk on passion and profession. Mr. Shah said that while many young people tend to think that fame, fortune, and hard work bring them happiness, in fact it is the social connections that are most important for their wellbeing. He stressed on being happy and argued by adding that you should “do whatever you want to and don’t let your passion die, because it keeps you motivated.”
Prof Dr Shahid Mahmud Malik (Pro-Rector, Health Sciences), Dr Mahwish Arooj (Principal UCM), Prof Dr Rizwan Ashraf (Vice Principal, Basic Sciences, UCM), Prof Dr Samina Malik (HoD, Physiology), Prof Dr Nabila Kaukab (HoD, Anatomy), Prof Dr Ghazala Irshad (HoD, Biochemistry), Prof Dr Munir Akhtar Saleemi (HoD, Community Medicine), Prof Dr Tahira Rizwan (HoD, Obs. and Gyne) and other faculty members of UCMD graced the seminar with their presence. The session ended with a question-and-answer session followed by a presentation of a souvenir to Mr. Shah by Pro-Rector Health Sciences.
For more information, contact:
The University of Lahore
1 – KM Defence Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-865-865, +92-42-35322501 +92-42-35321761
Email: info@uol.edu.pk
Website: www.uol.edu.pk