CPSP confers degrees on 947 specialists at landmark 59th convocation
KARACHI: In a major boost to Pakistan’s specialist healthcare workforce, the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) held its 59th Convocation at its headquarters in Karachi, conferring postgraduate qualifications on 947 medical specialists across a wide range of disciplines.
The prestigious ceremony was attended by Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal as Chief Guest, alongside leading national and international figures in medical education and clinical practice. The event underscored CPSP’s growing role as a global hub for postgraduate medical training and professional excellence.
Honorary degrees and international presence
On the occasion, CPSP awarded honorary degrees to two distinguished global leaders in medicine:
• Dr. Marcia Clark, President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
• Prof. Dr. Hany Etieiba, President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
They attended the convocation as Guests of Honour, reflecting CPSP’s strong international remembering and collaborations.
The ceremony also brought together prominent medical educators and leaders from around the world, including Prof. Rowan W. Parks (Immediate Past President, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, UK), Prof. Johan Faragan (Immediate Past President, Colleges of Medicine of South Africa), Dr. Modise Zacharia Koto (President, College of Medicine of South Africa), Dr. Thanyadej Nimmanwudipong (President, Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand), and Prof. Dr. Gominda Ponnamperuma (University of Colombo, Sri Lanka). Senior CPSP officials and Pakistani medical academics from all four provinces also attended.
Formal proceedings and awards
Following the national anthem and recitation from the Holy Quran, Prof. Khalid Masood Gondal, President CPSP, formally opened the convocation and welcomed the guests. Prof. Ambreen Afzal Ehsan, Vice-President CPSP, administered the oath to the graduating specialists.
Out of the total graduates, 796 doctors were awarded Fellowships (FCPS) and 151 were awarded Memberships (MCPS), marking a significant expansion of Pakistan’s trained specialist pool.
Medals were awarded to outstanding performers. Dr. Mir Musaib received the gold medal for securing the highest marks in FCPS-II (Pulmonology), Dr. Muhammad Wasim Sajjad was awarded a medal in Cardiac Surgery, and Dr. Sumaiya Khan received the gold medal for FCPS-II (Orthopaedic Surgery).
CPSP’s growth and global footprint
In his address, Prof. Gondal paid tribute to CPSP’s founding leadership, including Gen. Wajid A. Burki, Prof. Sultan Farooqi, and Prof. Zafar Ullah Chaudhry, for laying the foundation of an institution that has become central to postgraduate medical education in Pakistan.
He highlighted that since its establishment in 1962, CPSP has expanded from offering just two fellowship programs to 90 fellowship programs, the highest number worldwide. To date, CPSP has trained over 50,000 specialist doctors, with more than 40,000 currently enrolled in structured training programs.
Prof. Gondal also outlined CPSP’s international training network, with centers in Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Since 2013, 845 residents have received placements in Ireland across 13 specialties, while 740 postgraduate residents have trained in UK hospitals under agreements signed in 2017. Currently, 474 residents are undergoing training in 31 disciplines in leading UK hospitals.
He further announced that CPSP will inaugurate its 3rd International Medical Education Conference, bringing together Presidents of Royal Colleges and global leaders in medical education to strengthen academic exchange and innovation.
Messages from global leaders
Guest of Honour Prof. Dr. Hany Etieiba, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Glasgow, described medicine as both a responsibility and a way of life. He urged young doctors to practise empathetic communication, support teamwork, and protect their physical and mental well-being. He reminded graduates that hope remains one of the most powerful tools they can offer patients.
Dr. Marcia Clark, President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, congratulated the graduates and described the convocation as recognition of years of sacrifice and resilience. She emphasized the global standing of CPSP qualifications and encouraged lifelong learning and leadership within the international medical community. She also acknowledged the role of families, mentors, and colleagues in supporting the graduates’ journeys.
Federal health policy direction
In his keynote address, Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal called for a strategic shift in Pakistan’s healthcare system from hospital-based “sick care” to preventive healthcare. He stressed the importance of strengthening primary and secondary care through family planning, vaccination, clean drinking water, sanitation, and environmental health measures.
He also announced that Pakistani medical qualifications have recently regained full recognition in Qatar, allowing Pakistani doctors to work there without additional licensing examinations. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to healthcare reform and workforce development, he emphasized the need to enhance the global standing of Pakistani medical professionals.
Commitment to future excellence
The President of CPSP awarded degrees to all successful candidates, and the ceremony concluded with a reaffirmation of CPSP’s commitment to producing competent, compassionate, and globally recognized specialists. A group photograph of all graduates was taken with the CPSP Council, symbolizing a new chapter in Pakistan’s medical education journey.
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