Prof. Dr. Muhammad Umar
(Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Hilal-e-Imtiaz)
VC RMU & Allied Hospitals
Prof. Mohamed Zughbur
Dean, Alazahr University Gaza
A Historical Day
8th November 2025 marks a historical day for RMU. Alhamdulillah, RMU has become the only medical university in Punjab teaching six classes in 2024 by admitting its sixth class, consisting of 45 medical students from Al-Azhar University, Gaza, Palestine.
This initiative by RMU is a voluntary and humanitarian gesture to support our Muslim daughters and sons from Gaza, whose entire university was completely destroyed during the war. The students not only lost their institution but also their homes, families, and even parents in some cases.
When Dr. Yousaf-ud-Din contacted RMU from Gaza, we responded positively and later secured approval from PMDC. Despite numerous difficulties, the honored guests, beloved by Allah SWT, safely arrived at RMU on a pleasant morning.
The Ongoing Challenges
The second challenge faced was addressing student fears, depression, and loneliness. Additionally, RMU had to manage shortages of faculty, establish separate classrooms, and develop a specialized curriculum for these students. The faculty graciously embraced all three challenges. Within just four weeks, a dedicated curriculum committee collaborated closely with the Dean of Al-Azhar University and PMDC to design a suitable curriculum, enabling classes to begin promptly—Alhamdulillah.
Main Highlights of the Event
As mentioned in the first part regarding the academic collaboration between Gaza Al-Azhar and RMU, the second part involved caring for the mental, physical, and social health of these traumatized and stressed students from the war-hit zone of Palestine. RMU organized a special night gala to support these students, attended by almost 100 Gaza students, RMU students, Sweet Home Orphanage students, ambassadors from Palestine, Kazakhstan, and Sudan, representatives from Alkhidmat Foundation, Fazilia Trust, HEC, PMDC, politicians, Punjab government officials, NGOs, Rawalian alumni, social workers, RMU working and retired faculty, heads of other medical colleges, and a large media presence.
The campus was specially decorated for this event, featuring a march past, fireworks, a horse show, and seven sporting events including athletics, cricket, football, hockey, basketball, badminton, volleyball, and table tennis. RMU recently renovated the RMU Sports Complex with a generous donation of 5 million PKR from FTO Dr. Asif Jah, Dr. Nadeem Afraz, and Rawalian President Dr. Saqib Abbasi. This sports complex was dedicated to the Gaza students from Palestine, and the mega event was inaugurated by a Gaza student, Alhamdulillah.
Gaza Sports Festival 2025
Al-Azhar RMU Curriculum
Academics
Assessment
An academic assessment was conducted for the students from Al-Azhar University who have recently transferred to RMU to continue their studies. The assessment focused on evaluating their prior knowledge of basic sciences, which they had already studied during the first three years of their MBBS program at Al-Azhar University in Palestine.
Assessment Framework
Formative Assessments: Weekly quizzes, case presentations, and small group discussions (SGDs).
Summative Assessments: End-of-ward test, Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), and written exams.
Performance Summary: Most students performed well in clinical reasoning but required additional reinforcement in bedside examinations.
Orientation Day
The Orientation Day for Gaza students was successfully conducted on 2nd November 2024 at the New Teaching Block of Rawalpindi Medical University. The event aimed to welcome the students, provide them with essential academic information, and familiarize them with RMU’s facilities, resources, and administrative procedures. Chairpersons of Medicine, Community Medicine, Surgery, ENT and Family Medicine facilitated the session. The key objectives of the orientation were:
- To welcome the Gaza students to RMU and foster a sense of belonging.
- To introduce them to the academic environment and key faculty members.
- To outline the academic calendar, assessment policies, and clinical training requirements.
- To provide guidance on available student support services, including mentorship programs, extracurricular activities, and health services
Each chairperson introduced their respective department and provided an overview of their academic and clinical training programs:
- Department of Medicine: Overview of the internal medicine curriculum and clinical rotations.
- Department of Surgery: Introduction to surgical training, skills development, and clinical exposure.
- Department of Community Medicine: Overview of public health and community-based projects.
- Department of Family Medicine: Focus on primary care and patient-centered learning.
- Department of ENT: Introduction to otorhinolaryngology training and clinical practice.
- Department of Radiology: Overview of diagnostic imaging, including the role of radiology in patient care, and hands-on training with modern imaging technologies
Timetable
Academic Plan for 4th Year
Attendance
The faculty reported a gradual decrease in attendance. A detailed attendance record of all courses.
- Attendance ranged from 16 to 31 students per session.
- Some sessions recorded low attendance and late arrivals, affecting continuity in learning, especially in the urology ward.
Teaching Schedule, Lectures & Clinical Hours of Teaching
Progress Report
Events
Monitoring by Vice Chancellor
Visit of Al-Khidmat and Doctors of Rehman for monitoring
Visit of Dean Al Azhar University to RMU for students monitoring
Extracurricular Activities
