Agenda Item No. 1: Nomenclature of the Degree

The current statement written on DMCs/Degrees issued by AUST is:
“Bachelor of Homeo Medical Science (BHMS)
Whereas, the right title is”
“Bachelor of Homeopathic Medical Science (BHMS)”

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The chair presented the first agenda point and invited H/Dr. Hira Rauf Khan (Vice Principal Abbott HMC) to brief it. She explained that the current statement written on DMCs is: “Bachelor of Homeo Medical Science (BHMS). Whereas, the right title is “Bachelor of Homeopathic Medical Science (BHMS)”. The word “Homeo” should be replaced with word “Homeopathic”. Dr. Rao Ghulam Mustafa (President NCH) objected that NCH is bound by the UAH rules 1980; therefore, NCH cannot allow any other nomenclature outside the rules. He advised that according to UAH rules1980 Sec 9-A, the nomenclature for this degree should be “Bachelor of Homoeopathic System of Medicines (BHMS)”. It was also discussed that if there is any restriction on having the same nomenclature for two different duration degrees of the same discipline. Dr. Akhtar Iqbal clarified that there is no such restriction.

Decision:

After detailed discussion, the board agreed with the point raised by Dr. Ghulam Murtaza and approved the nomenclature as; “Bachelor of Homoeopathic System of Medicines (BHMS)”.

Agenda 2: Two Years BHMS Program: Criteria & Duration

• 1. Criteria
• 2. Duration

Current Status of the Program:

Previously, the criteria for admission in BHMS for two years was DHMS. Furthermore, the duration of the program was 2 years.

The Board of Studies (BOS) was tasked with assessing the admission criteria and program duration with the involvement of the President and Vice-President of the National Council for Homoeopathy, along with the participation of the Additional Registrar Academics from AUST. Any decisions or conclusions resulting from this discussion were to be conveyed to the Higher Education Commission (HEC).

A roadmap for pursuing a Bachelor's degree (Post RN BSN) following the completion of a diploma in nursing was attached as reference as this subject offers education of Level 6, similar to the BHMS graded program.

Decision / Minutes for onwards submission to HEC

After a comprehensive discussion and following inquiries raised by the Additional Registrar Academics, the representatives from the National Council for Homeopathy (NCH) clarified that the subject matter was thoroughly deliberated upon during the NCH regular meeting No 161 Dated July 19, 2023 and the house approved the post DHMS, two years BHMS graded degree program, for upgrading the educational level of diploma holders. The same was also presented earlier as Agenda item 13 in 161th regular meeting of NCH (attached).

In light of these discussions and in response to the evolving educational landscape, it has been decided that a student interested in furthering their education after completing DHMS may choose the BHMS 2-Year program. Conversely, students with a passion for Homeopathy and who have successfully completed their F.Sc. Pre-Medical (or its equivalent) may opt for the BHMS (5-Year) program

This decision has been made with the primary goal of ensuring that the BHMS program remains aligned with contemporary educational and professional standards, catering to the needs of prospective candidates in the field of homeopathy. The active involvement of key stakeholders, coupled with alignment with the Ministry of Health's recommendations, reflects our unwavering commitment to upholding and advancing the high standards of education within the domain of homeopathy.

Agenda No. 3: Need for Transition: Introduction of Semester System instead of Annual System

It was proposed that semester system instead of annual should be followed as:

1. I. Semester system encourages interdisciplinary studies and collaborative learning, fostering a more holistic approach to modern teaching methodologies.


2. II. Enhancing Faculty-Student Interaction


3. III. Semester system allows for more personal interaction between faculty and students, promoting mentorship and a deeper understanding of students' needs.


4. IV. Adapting to Continuous Assessment


5. V. Flexibility for Innovative Pedagogy


6. VI. Enabling Real-Time Feedback


7. VII. Aligning with Industry Demands

Discussion:

The Board of Studies meeting featured valuable input from various esteemed individuals. Dr. Shafqat Altaf, Principal - Abbott HMC, commenced the discussion by reporting that her staff had dedicated extensive effort to create a draft, in collaboration with experts, addressing the conversion of the two-year BHMS program into four semesters. Dr. Akhtar Iqbal, Additional Registrar - AUST, expressed his enthusiasm for the proposal, noting that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) encourages the semester system over the annual system. Homeopathic Dr. Rao Ghulam Murtaza, President - NCH, drew a parallel with the Nursing Post RN program, suggesting that the BHMS program should maintain its two-year structure, akin to the Post RN program's four-semester degree. Homeopathic Dr. Saeed Khattak, Vice-President - NCH, echoed the President's sentiments, emphasizing that the approved syllabus would soon be submitted to the Syllabus Committee of NCH for their valuable input before forwarding it to the quarters concerned. He also added that NCH is already working on the draft shared by the Principal Abbott HMC (attached). Homeopathic Dr. Sunaila, Lecturer - Frontier HMC, suggested that once the syllabus receives unanimous approval, it should be proposed to Peshawar University for potential adoption by Frontier HMC too. Dr. Aleem Awan, Assistant Professor - AUST, recommended forwarding the justification to HEC, emphasizing that the conversion aligns with HEC guidelines. Dr. Abida Elahi, Assistant Professor - AUST, acknowledged the outstanding work of Homeopathic Doctors Ahmed Ejaz and Guftar in converting the program. Finally, Dr. Muhammad Hassan, Assistant Professor - AUST, strongly recommended the inclusion of overdue mandatory subjects and credit hours, including English and internships, in compliance with the HEC guidelines outlined in the UGE Policy of 2023. He emphasized the importance of integrating critical subjects into the BHMS curriculum for students who pursue the two-year program after completing DHMS. These students should receive a comprehensive education in homeopathy, akin to their counterparts who undergo the full five-year BHMS program as both the degrees have equal weightage (as endorsed by all the members). Therefore, after a long discussion subjects/content from 5 years BHMS program was also included in the final draft of the syllabus. The comprehensive discussion highlights the dedication of the academic community towards refining the BHMS curriculum to meet contemporary standards and adhere to HEC recommendations.

Decision:

The House officially ratified the decision to transition the existing two-year annual program into a structured curriculum consisting of four semesters. This move is strategically designed to better align our educational offerings with the evolving requirements of the current education system. The syllabus, originally proposed by the Principal of Abbott HMC, underwent thorough scrutiny and discourse within the House (syllabus attached). The Vice-President of the National Council for Homeopathy (NCH) further apprised the House that this same syllabus will be scheduled for consideration by the Syllabus Committee, which will be convened by the NCH. This committee is expected to convene in the first week of November, and there is a prevailing optimism that the proposed syllabus will garner approval within that forum as well. In the event that any modifications or revisions are necessitated during the deliberations, or the same syllabus as proposed is accepted, the final draft of the syllabus will be promptly shared with the offices of the Registrar at the AUST and Peshawar University. This approach ensures that our academic offerings remain responsive to emerging educational standards and continue to uphold the quality and relevance of BHMS program.

Agenda No. 4: Proposal for Independent Assessment

Proposal to Decouple Medicine 1 and Medicine 2 and Surgery 1 and Surgery 2 Evaluation

It was discussed that the existing procedure dictates that if a student does not pass in Medicine I, they will automatically be marked as unsuccessful in Medicine II, and vice versa. In order to rectify this unfair practice, the following proposal is presented to this house:

Rationale:

Distinct Learning Objectives: Medicine I & II and similarly Surgery I & II have entirely different subject content and there is no point of merging the two subjects in terms of marks. Therefore, decoupling these two subjects is requested.

Avoiding Unnecessary Pressure: Merging subjects with entirely different content can place undue stress on students, as they may have to master a wide range of topics simultaneously. This pressure can hinder their ability to excel in subject/area that truly resonate with their career aspirations.

Fair Evaluation: Fairness in assessment is a fundamental principle in education. Merging subjects, which have different content, could make it challenging to evaluate students accurately. It is important that each student's performance is assessed based on the specific objectives and content of the course they are undertaking.

Customized Learning Paths: By decoupling these subjects, students have the opportunity to customize their learning paths according to their interests and career goals. This approach encourages a more personalized and equitable educational experience as a homeopathic doctor.

Alignment with Real-world Practice: In the medical field, doctors often choose specialties that align with their interests and strengths. Allowing students to focus on specific subjects during their foundational education aligns with the real-world practice of specialization, promoting individual growth and development.

Summary: Automatic failure in one subject due to a failure in the other may not be fair to students who excel in one subject but face difficulties in the other. It is important to individualize assessment and the need to evaluate students based on their performance in each subject.

Decision: The House has concluded that the matter of decoupling Medicine I and Medicine II, as well as Surgery I and Surgery II evaluations, will be automatically resolved when the educational system transitions from an annual system to a semester system. Therefore, there is no need to make a separate decision on this matter.

Agenda Item No 5: Approval of Course Additions in Compliance with HEC Guidelines

The following points were discussed in the subject matter that:

Quality Assurance: Ensuring compliance with HEC guidelines guarantees the quality and standardization of the courses we offer. It demonstrates our commitment to providing highquality education that meets national standards.

International Recognition: HEC guidelines often align with international education standards. Compliance can enhance the recognition of our institution on the global stage and facilitate international collaborations.

Accreditation Requirements: Accrediting bodies like National Council for Homeopathy require adherence to HEC guidelines. Achieving this compliance is essential for maintaining and obtaining accreditation, which is crucial for the reputation of our institution.

Student-Centered Approach: HEC guidelines are designed to prioritize students' best interests. By adhering to these guidelines, we ensure that our course additions benefit students' learning experiences and academic growth. Therefore, the following can be added in the course content:

1. 1 English
2. 2. Internship (as per HEC’s Guidelines -2023)

Decision:

The House has determined that the subjects incorporated / revised according to the syllabus provided in this Board of Studies (BOS), which was developed with input from both internal and external subject experts, meet the expected standards. In accordance with the decision made under agenda number 3, the National Council for Homeopathy (NCH) will review the supplied syllabus and communicate its findings to the quarters concerned.

Agenda item 6: Social Work Requirement

As per the notification provided by AUST, it was discussed during the meeting that social work was a requirement for a BS Degree. The question arose as to whether this requirement would apply to a two-year BS program such as BHMS. In the discussion, the query was raised about the policy that would govern this situation if social work were to be a requisite.

Decision

A unanimous decision was taken to make social work mandatory for students in accordance with AUST regulations. The college's principal will delegate this responsibility to students through the faculty. Dr. Akhtar Iqbal (Additional Registrar) informed the house that in the near future, formal guidelines and regulations for this activity will also be officially communicated by AUST.

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In conclusion, the meeting covered a range of important topics, including Nomenclature of the degree, the pre-requisites for the program, and the switchover from annual to semester system. Various decisions were reached, as outlined in the minutes, and action items were assigned as mentioned in the decisions against each agenda. The board acknowledges the valuable contributions from all participants and appreciates their dedication to ensuring the quality and effectiveness of our academic programs.

In conclusion, it was discussed that the action items that have been assigned will be diligently monitored and the progress on these matters will be regularly reported in our upcoming meetings. The President and Vice President of NCH expressed their anticipation for continued collaboration and progress to advance the quality of education and enhance the curriculum at AUST. In closing, the Additional Registrar extended gratitude to our esteemed experts and guests for their valuable contributions, acknowledging the efforts made in traveling to attend this significant event.

Minutes OF BOS (BHMS) Endorsed By

Name	Signature
H/Dr. Rao Ghulam Murtaza President, NCH
H/Dr. Saeed Ur Rehman Khattak Vice President, NCH
H/Dr. Shafqat Altaf Principal, Abbott HMC
H/Dr. Hira Rauf Khan Vice Principal, Abbott HMC
H/Dr. Ikram Khan Lecturer, Abbott HMC
H/Dr. Ahmed Ejaz Assistant Prof., Abbott HMC
H/Dr. Guftar Ahmed Assistant Prof., Abbott HMC
H/Dr. Said Ameen Lecturer, Frontier HMC
H/Dr. Sunila Shakir Lecturer, Frontier HMC
Dr. Akhtar Iqbal Additional Registrar, AUST
Dr. Muhammad Hassan Assistant Prof., AUST
Abdul Aleem Awan Assistant Prof., AUST
Dr. Abida Elahi Assistant Prof., AUST

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