Hafsa Ammar is a student of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at the National Defence University, Islamabad. Her areas of expertise are hybrid warfare, narrative building, and nuclear deterrence in South Asia.
Introduction
Rawalpindi Medical University College University (RMU) is an educational institute that came into existence on 18th March 1974 due to the efforts of Professor Abdul Latif. It was originally intended to function as a medical college. By 2003, it developed ties with the University of Health Sciences Lahore and was officially granted university status in 2017.
At first, it was founded in Faisalabad but shifted to Rawalpindi within a few months. Its current Vice-Chancellor Professor Muhammed Umer has strived hard to make the institution the esteemed establishment that it is today.
Vision
Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU) wishes to become one of the world’s leading medical institutes in terms of groundbreaking bio-medical research in hopes of further bettering the healthcare industry of Pakistan and using it to aid the state in social advancement.
Mission
RMU has always wanted to be an inspiration and driving force for both its students and faculty, to help bring Pakistan into the fold of innovation, progress, and entrepreneurship. Encouraging evidence-based research to contribute to the best possible patient care lies at the core of RMU’s values.
Campuses
- Old Campus
The old campus is located on Tipu Road, an off-branch of Murree Road. It holds classes for the first and second years. New admissions are also processed here.
- New Campus
The new campus is connected to Holy Family Hospital where third, fourth, and final years are taught.
Hostels
The following hostels are available for students of RMU.
- Boys Hostel 01: College Premises near the Latif Auditorium, Old Teaching Block
- Boys Hostel 02: Satellite Town near the Old Teaching Block
- Girls Hostel: RMC Staff Colony near the Old Teaching Block
Affiliated Hospitals
Three teaching hospitals are affiliated with RMU:
- Holy Family Hospital
- Benazir Bhutto Hospital
- District Headquarters Hospital
Aims and Objectives
The aims and objectives of the Rawalpindi Medical University are as detailed below:
- Raise funds for high-end research projects and programs being studied and developed by the students and faculty at the university.
- Nurturing the strategic direction and various initiatives of the university.
- Encouraging publishing of high-quality articles authored by students and staff alike, in HEC-recognized academic journals.
- It has always been a goal of RMU to improve its human resource development program.
- Expand funding to establish newer and better-equipped laboratories on campus.
- Be regular in hosting seminars, symposiums, and conferences on various up-and-coming topics and trends within the spheres of medicine and technology.
- Strengthening the university’s networking capabilities.
Programs Offered at Rawalpindi Medical University
Undergraduate
5-year programs
- MBBS
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
4-year programs
- Orthotics and Prosthetics
- Optometry and Orthoptics
- Optometry and Orthoptics
- Medical Imaging Technology
- Medical Laboratory Technology
MS Programs
- MS General Surgery
- MS Plastic Surgery
- MS Pediatric Surgery
- MS Orthopedic Surgery
- MS Neurosurgery
- MS Anesthesiology
- MS Gynecology and Obstetrics
- MS Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
- MS Ophthalmology
- MS Diagnostic Radiology
- MS Urology
- Masters in Health Professions Education
MD Programs
- MD Medicine
- MD Cardiology
- MD Dermatology
- MD Pulmonology
- MD Diagnostic Radiology
- MD Nephrology
- MD Psychiatry
- MD Critical Care
- MD Emergency Medicine
- MD Infectious Diseases
- MD Pediatrics
- MD Gastroenterology
MPhil Programs
- MPhil Community Medicine
- MPhil Anatomy
Postgraduate/PhD
- PhD in Microbiology and Molecular Biology
- PhD in Health Sciences (Biochemistry)
- PhD Chemical Pathology
- PhD in Public Health
Diploma
- Diploma in Endoscopic Nursing
- Diploma in Clinical Pathology (DCP)
- Diploma in Child Health
- Diploma in Anesthesia (DA)
- Diploma in Health and Hospital Management (DHHM)
- Diploma in Ophthalmic Medicine (DOMS)
- Diploma in Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGO)
- Diploma in Medical Radio-Diagnosis (DMRD)
- Diploma in Family Medicine
- Diploma in Medical Jurisprudence (DMJ)
- Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine
- Diploma in Mental Health
Fellowship Programs
- Fellowship in Interventional Pain Medicine (FIPM)
Certification Courses
- Emergency Medicine Foundation Program (EMFP)
- Basic Clinical Sonology
- Family Medicine
- CT technology
- MRI technology
- Certificate in Health Profession Medicine
- Telemedicine Certificate Course
- Certificate Infection Disease
- Certificate Covid-19
- Certificate in Health Care Quality Management
- Certificate in Health Research
Accolades
RMU has over 300 faculty members and a student body of 3500 students. It has spent the past several years gathering awards and accolades for its achievements. It was recently awarded the APPNA Award of Excellence and an HEC-approved clinical research lab worth Rs. 1.7 billion.
Scholarships Offered By RMU
RMU provides financial support and incentives to students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds or score particularly high in their examinations. These scholarships have been funded by independent personalities, the government of Pakistan, and various humanitarian organizations.
- Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship
- University Offered Fee Concession
- Institutional Scholarships Award Committee (ISAC)
- Dr. Aamir Ayub UK Scholarship
- Farogh-e-Islam Foundation Scholarship
- Hakeem Muhammad Saeed Scholarship
- Director Public Instructions (College) Punjab Lahore Merit Scholarship
- Punjab Educational Endowment Fund
- Pakistan Bait-ul-Mall Scholarship
- District Zakat Committee Scholarships
- Federal Board Merit Scholarships
- Children of Punjab Govt. Employees
- Children of Retired Defence Persons
- Children of Federal Govt. Teachers
- College Benevolent Fund
- National Bank of Pakistan Students Loan Scheme (interest-free)
- Pakistan Medical Association
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for RMU are quite straightforward, pretty much the same as for all other medical universities. The student applying for a seat needs to have passed the F.Sc (Pre-medical) exams from a recognized board of the Pakistani education system with a minimum of 65% (715/1000).
The process of registration is simple. There are three steps. The applicant is supposed to register for their chosen program. Then they will be shortlisted for personal interviews following their merit, and lastly, upon acceptance into the program, the student is to submit their official documents (Matric, F.Sc, and Domicile Charter Certificate) and fee payments to the offices of RMU.
Admissions open in November every year but can vary from program to program, so students should check the dates of the upcoming academic sessions before applying.
Seats
For students having a domicile in Punjab or ICT (Islamabad Capital Territory), the admissions are strictly based on merit. The aggregate percentage is set by the university each year and students aiming for seats via open merit need to score more than that set percentage.
For disabled candidates, the Medical Board reviews the list to evaluate the extent of the disability only to assess whether the impairment is substantial/permanent enough to put them at a disadvantage against other students competing in the same boards and examinations.
Seats have been reserved on the order of the Supreme Court for 6 underdeveloped districts in Southern Punjab and for FATA as well. 20 ‘Goodwill’ seats have also been set aside for students of Balochistan as well.
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