LAHORE: Punjab Governor and Chancellor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan has approved the appointment of vice chancellors (VCs) for five public medical universities after interviewing all 10 candidates shortlisted for the positions at Governor’s House.
The appointments cover King Edward Medical University (KEMU) Lahore, University of Health Sciences (UHS) Lahore, Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU), Faisalabad Medical University (FMU), and Fatima Jinnah Medical University (FJMU) Lahore.
The governor conducted the interviews after an earlier intervention in the selection process, during which three shortlisted candidates challenged the decision reached by the provincial government.
Five medical university VCs appointed
Following the interviews, Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan approved the summary for the appointment of:
- Dr Mahmood Ayaz — Vice Chancellor, King Edward Medical University Lahore
- Maj-Gen (retd) Sohail Sabir — Vice Chancellor, University of Health Sciences Lahore
- Maj-Gen (retd) Sohail Amin — Vice Chancellor, Rawalpindi Medical University
- Prof Syed Asghar Naqi — Vice Chancellor, Faisalabad Medical University
- Dr Zohra Khanum — Vice Chancellor, Fatima Jinnah Medical University Lahore
The governor said there would be no compromise on appointments to university leadership positions and identified advancement in education and research as a priority.
He also stressed merit and transparency and said eliminating political patronage and undue influence was among his priorities in the appointment of university heads.
Governor interviews all 10 shortlisted candidates
The appointments followed a selection process in which 43 candidates applied, with 10 subsequently shortlisted for consideration.
The shortlisted candidates were Prof Mahmood Ayaz, Prof Syed Asghar Naqi, Prof Tayyaba Waseem, Prof M Moeen, Prof Zohra Khanum, Maj-Gen (retd) Sohail Sabir, Prof Maroof Aziz Khan, Maj-Gen (retd) Sohail Amin, Prof Tariq Iqbal and Prof Jahangir Sarwar.
The chief minister reviewed the shortlisted candidates and finalised names for the five positions, following which the provincial cabinet approved the proposed appointments.
The process took a further turn when three of the shortlisted candidates approached the governor and challenged the earlier selection decision.
The governor subsequently called all 10 shortlisted candidates for interviews at Governor’s House before deciding on the appointments.
The intervention therefore brought an additional interview stage into the selection process before the Chancellor approved the appointments.
FJMU selection involved separate consideration
The selection of Dr Zohra Khanum for Fatima Jinnah Medical University followed a separate point of consideration during the chief minister's review of candidates.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had objected to the nomination of two candidates who were also being considered for the top position and subsequently supported Dr Zohra Khanum's nomination.
The rationale cited for Dr Zohra Khanum's selection included her background as a gynecologist, her management qualification and her experience at Fatima Jinnah Medical University and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
She served at the institutions in various capacities from approximately 2013 to 2023 and had institutional, clinical and administrative experience, including serving as principal.
Her tenure was also associated with the institution receiving a Diamond Award, according to the earlier account of the selection process.
Focus shifts to medical education and research
The five universities are among Punjab's major public-sector institutions for medical education, postgraduate training, healthcare research and the development of doctors and other health professionals.
The governor's emphasis on merit and transparency comes as the newly appointed vice chancellors take charge of institutions facing responsibilities ranging from undergraduate and postgraduate medical education to research, academic governance and institutional development.
With the appointments approved, the five universities will now have their respective leadership in place to oversee their academic and administrative affairs.
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