Boosting Opportunities: Expansion Plans Announced for Medical and Dental College Seats
College Seats – Pakistan’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Government to Boost Medical and Dental College Seats by Over 20%
In a significant development, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has unveiled plans to increase the number of seats in both public and private medical and dental colleges across the province. This expansion initiative aims to reserve more than 20% of the seats for deserving students through scholarships.
The decision was announced during a crucial meeting chaired by caretaker K-P Chief Minister Justice (retd) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah. Notable attendees included Adviser to CM on Health Dr Riaz Anwar and key figures from the health department, along with representatives from both public and private sector medical and dental colleges in the province.
During the briefing, participants were informed about the current seat capacities of these institutions and the potential for seat augmentation. With a total of 21 medical and 11 dental colleges in the province, offering a combined annual capacity of 3,210 seats, the existing limitations have led to thousands of qualified students missing out on admissions each year.
The caretaker chief minister highlighted that discussions with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) had resulted in a positive agreement in principle to increase the seats, pending fulfillment of set criteria by the colleges. Emphasizing the urgency of seizing this opportunity, he urged the management of these institutions to determine their capacities for seat enhancement and communicate the details to the provincial government for formal approval from PMDC.
Importantly, the chief minister assured that while expanding medical and dental college seats, the established criteria and quality of education would not be compromised. The meeting participants commended the chief minister’s efforts, considering it a significant achievement and a substantial contribution to the medical field in the province.
It was asserted that while increasing seats, the quality of education and predetermined criteria would remain uncompromised. Additionally, 20% of the newly enhanced seats will be earmarked for deserving students through scholarship programs.
