The UHS has approved the academic calendar for the Fall Semester 2026, directing all affiliated institutions across Punjab to begin classes in BS Allied Health Sciences programmes by November 16.
The university has set November 30 as the deadline for filling vacant seats through waiting lists, ruling out fresh advertisements for these positions.
The decisions were made during the 43rd meeting of the Board of Studies for Allied Health Sciences, chaired by UHS Vice Chancellor Maj Gen (retd) Prof Sohail Sabir. Heads of affiliated colleges attended the meeting, which reviewed admissions, examinations and strategies to improve academic standards.
The board also decided that admissions to BS programmes in 2027 would begin after the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT). Candidates scoring at least 50 per cent in the MDCAT would not be required to take a separate entry test for BS programmes.
Under the approved schedule, first-semester examinations for Fall 2026 will start on April 5, 2027, while second-semester examinations are scheduled to begin on September 13, 2027. The board also approved panels of paper setters and examiners for the 2026-27 academic year.
Speaking at the meeting, Prof Sabir said the university would work towards standardising practical skills training for Allied Health Sciences students across Punjab.
He announced plans to establish a central simulation laboratory in collaboration with Robert Gordon University, while the possible integration of artificial intelligence into teaching methods was also being explored.
He said work on introducing modern teaching approaches and skills-development techniques would begin within the next two to three months.
Performance dashboards would also be developed to assess affiliated institutions and identify weaknesses in teaching quality and student outcomes.
The vice chancellor said repeated failures in professional examinations would be assessed in light of both students’ performance and the effectiveness of teaching staff. Faculties at institutions recording high failure rates would be required to explain the reasons behind the results.
Prof Sabir emphasised that institutions must provide students with proper instruction and guidance, noting that the quality of Allied Health Sciences training directly affects graduates’ ability to deliver appropriate patient care.
He added that decisions on increasing seats at Allied Health Sciences institutions would depend on institutional performance and examination results. Colleges demonstrating stronger academic outcomes would receive priority when additional seats were allocated.