KARACHI- The number of universities, both private and public has more than doubled in Sindh, with 23 in 2003 the number has risen to 50 till January 2014, said Governor of Sindh and DUHS Chancellor, Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad Khan.

Addressing the participants of a ceremony held late Saturday evening to mark the 10th anniversary of Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) he said this was reflective of political will of the leadership of the province towards promoting higher education and capacity building of people in general.

"Sindh has also emerged to be the first to have a Law University in the country and it is the alma mater of Quaid e Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Sindh Madarassatul Islam's law college that has been upgraded as a law university," he said.

Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad also the DUHS Chancellor said the leadership in Sindh have risen above their political affiliations for the cause of public welfare and progress of the province.

The impressive ceremony arranged at Governor House was also attended by Dr. Asim Hussain, a Dow graduate and a former state minister alongwith syndicate members, academic council members, faculty members and students of the university.

Governor of Sindh, also a Dow graduate said improving the healthcare system of the country has been one of the top priorities of the Government and Dow University has set an example by establishing 55 institutes, since 2004, catering to all segments of health care.

Institutes of Dental Health and Surgery, Biomedical Engineering, ICU and OT, Medical Technologist, Pharmacologists, Health Care Managers, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitative Medicine are just a few to name in a backdrop when its started with only three constituent institutes that produced doctors only., to now having

Sindh Governor mentioning the relevance of team work for development of any institution appreciated the efforts of DUHS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Masood Hameed Khan, faculty and staff for working cohesively in the last decade.

He on the occasion also announced Prof. Masood Hameed Khan would continue to be the Vice Chancellor of DUHS.

Dr. Asim Hussain referred to the role played by Dow Medical College in promoting political leadership as from here the movement against Ayub Khan gained ground, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto made his first political speech at the college while the foundation of PNA movement, that though fizzled out, was laid at the college's cafeteria.

Vice Chancellor of DUHS, Prof Masood Hameed Khan recounted the progress of the University since its inception and also highlighted 10 years' achievements of Dow University since its inception.

He also highlighted the steps taken for enhancement of academics which includes establishment of Professional Development Centre offering hands-on training workshops, CME & CPD Programs.

Internet Digital Library, Online Video-Conferencing, Department of Information Technology, Campus Management Software were cited to be among major development.

Dr. Masood Hameed referred to various community care projects of DUHS and informed that since 2004 more than 200,000 dental patients
have been treated in three Dental Hospitals of DUHS.

These were besides more than 20,000 diabetes patients and more than 300,000 patients managed and treated at Liver Institute. More than 100,000 patients facilitated at Rehabilitation Centre for Physically Challenged People.

More 5,000 patients were said to be provided with free of cost artificial limbs. While about 15,000 patients were admitted to Dow Hospital, 1500,000 laboratory tests were performed, 38,623 MRIs and 28,333 CT Scans were performed, said the DUHS Vice Chancellor.

He said Dow University of Health Sciences is also inculcating quality medical education and research and since its inception more than 1200 original research papers have been published by the students and faculty of the university.

Pro Vice Chancellor, DUHS, Prof. Muhammad Umar Farooq also spoke on the occasion.

SOURCE: APP