SZABMU Unveils New Campus, Digital Exams, and Clinical Training Plan for Overseas Pakistani Medical Students
Islamabad: Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU) has announced a major expansion and reform agenda, featuring the launch of a new campus, introduction of digital examinations, and a structured clinical training program for Pakistani medical students studying abroad. The developments were shared by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Tanwir Khaliq during a media briefing on the university’s progress and future direction.
Speaking to journalists, Dr. Khaliq said SZABMU will formally shift to its new purpose-built campus adjacent to NORI Hospital in Sector G-8/3 from July 1, 2026. He said the project, initiated during his earlier tenure and approved by Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, had faced delays in the past but is now nearing completion.
He said the new campus will substantially enhance academic, research, and clinical facilities, enabling SZABMU to evolve from a hospital-centered setup into a fully integrated medical university.
A major highlight of the briefing was the announcement of a paid three-month elective and clinical training program for Pakistani medical students enrolled in foreign universities, particularly in Tajikistan. Dr. Khaliq acknowledged that many such students face difficulties clearing the National Registration Examination (NRE) due to limited clinical exposure abroad. Under the new initiative, students will be able to return to Pakistan during summer breaks and receive hands-on clinical training at SZABMU-affiliated hospitals to help meet licensing requirements.
On the financial side, the Vice Chancellor said SZABMU is moving toward greater autonomy, with an annual budget of Rs 370 million. Of this, Rs 250 million is self-generated, while Rs 120 million is provided by the Higher Education Commission. He said the university has grown rapidly from an initial intake of 300 transferred students to nearly 10,000 students across 60 disciplines, including 14 undergraduate and around 45 postgraduate programs. Proposals for 15 new PhD programs have also been submitted to the HEC.
Dr. Khaliq said the university is also undergoing rapid modernization, with a transition to a fully digital examination system and upgrades in molecular genetics and stem cell research facilities. In collaboration with Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, SZABMU is launching training programs in robotic surgery, while international research collaboration with UNESCO is underway in the field of infectious diseases.
He added that SZABMU has revived its international academic linkages by signing memoranda of understanding with institutions in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, and Sri Lanka. Under an agreement with a university in Liverpool, SZABMU students will receive specialized training in emergency medicine in the UK.
Highlighting community engagement, the Vice Chancellor announced that SZABMU is offering free Basic Life Support (BLS) training for journalists, educational institutions, and other groups. He said master trainers have already been trained at Rawalpindi Medical University, and similar sessions can be arranged for media professionals.
The media briefing concluded with a question-and-answer session, during which journalists noted improved administrative stability and clearer planning at SZABMU after years of uncertainty under acting leadership arrangements.
