MAHARASHTRA UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES
	Mhasrul Vani Road, Mhasrul, Nashik – 422 004
	Website : www.muhsnashik.com
	ACTIVITIES OF FIRST FIVE YEARS (10^th JUNE 1998 to 30^th JUNE 2003)

Introduction

There was a National debate in 1983 on standards of Health Science Education. It was resolved that there is a need to establish a separate Health Sciences Education Commission at National level at par with UGC and Unitary Health Sciences Universities in the States.

This policy was accepted by Govt. of India in 1993. In the mean time Andhra Pradesh started NTR University of Health Sciences at Vijaywada in 1986, Tamilnadu started MGR University of Health Sciences at Chennai in 1997 and Karnataka started Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences at Banglore in 1994.

Govt. of Maharashtra was thinking of establishing the University of Health Sciences since 1992. It was ultimately established on 3^rd June 1998 with the aim to have planned growth and to improve quality of Health Science Education. Today there are eight Health Sciences Universities in the Country and some more are in the pipeline.

Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik was inaugurated on 10^th June 1998 by His Excellency, Dr. P. C. Alexander, Chancellor / Governor of Maharashtra.

Hon’ble Dr. D. G. Dongaonkar assumed the charge as first Vice-Chancellor of this University on 10^th July 1998.

The logo of the University shows a figure symbol of a person ably lifting up with both hands the Red Cross, depicting his resolve and confidence to free the society of diseases by making use of knowledge and by reaching to the root causes of the health problems.

This University has got the membership of Association of Indian Universities (AIU) & Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). It has also been included in the list of Universities maintained by University Grants Commission under Section 2(f) of the UCG Act 1956.

We have 188 affiliated colleges spread over 35 districts in the State.

Colleges Affiliated to MUHS (June 1998)

Sr. No.	Faculty / Course	No. of Colleges	Intake Capacity
1	Medical	33	3459
2	Dental	13	800
3	a) Ayurved	37	1945
	b) Unani	05	215
4	Homoeopathy	36	2380
5	Pharmacy	50	2315
6	Allied Health Science Courses	19	481
	a) Physiotherapy	08	250
	b) Occupational Therapy	04	80
	c) Audiology	02	43
	d) Prosthetics & Orthotics	01	10
	e) Nursing	04	98
	Total	193	11595

Colleges Affiliated to MUHS (July 2003)

Sr. No.	Faculty / Course	No. of Colleges	Intake Capacity
1	Medical	35	3810
2	Dental	21	1540
3	a) Ayurved	52	2475
	b) Unani	06	240
4	Homoeopathy	43	3050
5	Allied Health Science Courses	31	748
	a) Physiotherapy	14	400
	b) Occupational Therapy	06	120
	c) Audiology	02	040
	d) Prosthetics & Orthotics	01	010
	e) Nursing	08	178
	Total	188	11863

* Pharmacy Faculty has been de-affiliated since 2001.

Affiliation Granted by MUHS During Last Five Years

Faculty	Rest of Maharashtra	Marathwada	Vidarbha	Total
Medical	01	01	0	02
Dental	08	0	0	08
Ayurved	09	03	03	15
Unani	01	0	0	01
Homoeopathy	08	0	0	08
BPTh.	05	0	01	06
BOTh.	02	0	0	02
Nursing	04	0	0	04
Pharmacy	04	01	01	06
TOTAL	42	05	05	52

Status of Recognition of Degrees of the University

BDS degree has been recognised by the Dental Council of India. MBBS degree has been recognised by Medical Council of India. BAMS, BUMS & BHMS degrees are in the process of being recognised by respective Central Councils.

University started functioning with following objectives

· To have planned growth of health sciences institutions

· To produce good quality graduates having professional & social skills

· To upgrade quality of teachers

· To promote research activities

· To have engagement with community

Authorities of University

As per the provisions under Section 22 of the Act, all Authorities of the University have been constituted, which are as under :-

· Senate

· Management Council

· Academic Council

· Faculties

· Planning Board

· Board of Studies

· Board of Examinations

In the beginning, the Bodies / Authorities were nominated vide provisions in Section 93(4) of the Act. Subsequently, in May 2002 elections were held and various Bodies / Authorities have been constituted.

Administration

The administrative set up of the University is very concise. Our expenditure on manpower is to the tune of 28-31% of the total expenditure of the University. Meticulous and transparent selection mechanism was followed for recruitment of officers and other workers in the University. At present we have 62 regular employees supported by contractual workforce, whose number is variable. We have given incentives to the regular employees for extra work. The University functions efficiently, maintaining all administrative schedule. This is possible because of heavy use of Information & Computer Technology. The University functions through various sections viz, Academic, Planning, Administration, Examination, Eligibility, Finance & Accounts, Information Technology and Student’s Welfare. We have developed filing system for speedy and easy reference. Special computer training was organized for the officers / employees of the University. Weekly meetings of officers of the University are regularly held to review the progress of the activities. Daily meetings of the officers are held in the morning to plan the day’s work.

There is connectivity with each affiliated college by way of Internet. Every day the work in the University starts with opening of Internet and answering to the letters by Email.

We have prepared following Statutes & Ordinances as per provisions of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences Act, 1998.

Statutes

1) Rules & procedure for conduct of business at meeting of the Senate and such other matters in relation to the meeting.

2) Rules & procedure for conduct of business at meeting of the Management Council and such other matters in relation to the meeting.

3) Rules & procedure for conduct of business at meeting of the Academic Council and such other matters in relation to the meeting.

4) Rules & procedure for conduct of business of Board of Examinations.

5) Constitution of Faculties in Maharashtra University of Health Sciences.

6) Academic Calendar of the University.

7) Procedure of scrutiny of the applications received for establishment of new colleges.

8) Criteria regarding institution of Prizes and Medals and acceptance of Endowments.

9) Convocation.

Ordinances

1) Numbering, Citation and Titling of Ordinances and Draft Ordinance.

2) Examination leading to the Post Graduate degree of Ayurved Vachaspati(MD/MS).

3) First Year Examination of courses under various faculties in Maharashtra University of Health Sciences.

4) Rules providing for the scheme of numbering of cyclostyled/ Xeroxed/ computerized pages.

5) Rules providing for numbering of agenda and minutes pages of the meetings of the authorities of the University.

6) Circulation of enclosures for the Management Council Meetings.

7) Inter University Sport Meet - Ashwamedh.

8) Conduct of Examinations.

9) Travelling and Daily Allowance.

10) Constitution of faculties in Maharashtra University of Health Sciences.

11) Academic Calendar of the University.

12) Conduct of Business at the meeting of Academic Council.

13) Eligibility and enrolment of students of the University.

14) Fees payable by College / Institution to the University.

15) Report of working of the University.

Establishment

· Sonawane Committee appointed for review of manpower in traditional Universities situated in the State of Maharashtra envisages 340 posts for the University.

· Year wise available manpower

Sr. No.	Year	Sanctioned posts					Available Man Power
		Statutory	DMER / Uni. cell	Govt. Fund	Uni. Fund	Total	Regular	Deput./ Ex-Ser./ Pay Minus Pension
1	1998	05	24	28	-	57	04	08	12
2	1999	05	24	28	_	57	16	27	43
3	2000	05	24	28	88	145	17	37	54
4	2001	05	24	28	88	145	27	63	90
5	2002	05	-	28	88	121	26	41	66
6	June 03	05	-	28	88	121	62	55	117

· In absence of Govt. sanction, University has created posts from its own funds and obtained services from various Govt. Departments, Universities, pensioners & Ex-Servicemen.

· Shortage of Man Power is compensated to a large extent by use of technology.

Perspective Plan

To bring in equitable opportunity to students from all parts of the State and to improve quality of education, University has prepared a Perspective Plan as per provisions of the Act. This Plan has helped to control unwarranted mushrooming growth of health sciences institutions and to remove regional imbalance with promotion of quality of education. It has become a landmark document, which has been upheld by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. The document is appreciated by Govt. of India & different National Councils.

On the background of this document, the Govt. of India is seriously thinking to prepare a National Perspective Plan for opening of new Colleges of Health Sciences in the country.

Academic

There are five faculties in the University viz. Medical, Dental, Ayurved & Unani, Homoeopathy and Allied Health Sciences (This includes Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Hearing, Language & Speech and Prosthetics & Orthotics).

To improve quality of education, following reforms have been undertaken.

· Selection of students through Common Entrance Test

· Compulsory attendance in class rooms & clinics

· Fixed Academic Calender

· Interactive Teaching Programme

· Up-gradation of curriculum & syllabi in all faculties

· Vertical & Horizontal integration of teaching

· Periodic inspection of Colleges

· Efforts to improve teaching & infrastructural facilities in affiliated Colleges

· Stringent norms for first affiliation

· Regularisation of appointments of teachers

· Workshops for teachers training

· Workshops for internship training

· Skill evaluation during internship

· Common Exam pattern for all the faculties.

Two workshops on “Ethics in Biomedical Research” sponsored by ICMR – WHO have been conducted.

It has been decided to strengthen Ethics Teaching in Under Graduate courses.

Examination

Aim : To provide transparent, responsive, clean and full-proof mechanism to conduct and monitor examinations.

Reforms Introduced

· Reforms in Question Papers : Introduction of MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions), SAQ (Short Answer Questions), LAQ (Long Answer Questions)

· Removal of ATKT (Allowed To Keep Term)

· Revaluation replaced by moderation

· Introduction of transparent internal assessment system

· Reorganization of grace marks scheme

· Development of Examination monitoring system

· Model Answers scheme

· Monitoring the Practical Examination by Inspector during Examination

· Development of Question Bank in progress

· Adoption of Common Examination Pattern for all faculties

· Adoption of fixed Examination calendar

· Fast declaration of Results online with interactive mark sheet and facility of application for verification on line.

Trends of Results

The upward trend is observed at first professional examination in all the faculties. However, in 2002 there is a decline in percentage of results because of delayed central admission process.

Ist Professional Examination

(Fig. I, II & III)

Fig. I

Fig. II

Fig. III

Single batch performance in progression

Because of proper a filter mechanism at the I^st professional Examination subsequent results show an increasing trend. However there is slight decrease in the final year because of inclusion of clinical subjects so training in these subjects needs to be emphasized. (Fig.IV)

Fig. IV

Outcome of Academic & Examination Reforms

· Students feel confident about the system

· Students have become more interactive than ever before

· Improvement in Academic discipline

· Improvement in Examination results

· Students acquire better professional skills

· Preparation of students for State, National & International competitions

· Rate of malpractices has been reduced significantly

Evaluation of Examination System

An independent agency, Education & Research Group, Pune was deployed to carry out the evaluation of Examination System of this University as per decision of Management Council. The objective of this study was to know whether the present Examination System is functioning as per the goals viz. transparency, responsiveness, full-proof mechanism and confidence of the students.

a) Methodology

All the students & teachers from three developmental regions viz. Rest of Maharashtra, Marathwada & Vidharbha from all health sciences colleges of all the faculties comprised the sample by using proportionate probability sample technique. A pre-tested, open-ended questionnaire was used to get required information.

b) Observations

· Pattern of Question Paper is more scientific in nature

· Introduction of MCQ, SAQ & LAQ has resulted in increase in percentage of passing

· Question papers have high competitive focus

· Removal of ATKT has contributed for increase in percentage of passing

· No case of paper espionage reported in last 4 to 5 years with exception of few malpractices

· Declaration of results done in record short period (25-30 days)

· Processes like internal assessment & moderation are transparent & appreciated by the students

· Lowest examination & verification fees are charged to the students

· Students have absolute faith in transparent examination system

· MUHS has trained 4448 teaching professionals which is higher than any other professional University

· Technology is used extensively & effectively

· Each subject is evaluated by 4 valuers at 4 different locations

· Adopted fixed examination calendar

· Issues related to bias in practical examination are addressed immediately

c) Recommendations

· Inspite of training to teachers, pedagogical aspect is not followed in design of question paper

· Question paper has major component of testing memorization

· Medico legal & medico ethical issues need to be strengthened

· Model answers of all questions should be validated

· Question bank of all the subjects should be developed scientifically

· Examination fees need upward revision

· Need more workshops, seminars, presentations & case studies from the students

· Linguistic abilities & written communication of students need immediate attention

· Pedagogical blue print of question paper for al subjects should be made

· There should be no examination application form and examination fee be collected in the beginning of the term

· Development of independent feedback network across the state is required

Recognition of Merit

The University has instituted the following awards :-

a) For Curricular activity

i) Gold Medal for topper in every examination

ii) Certificate of merit to first five / first three in every examination

b) For Extra curricular activity

Gold Medal & Certificate of merit for :

i) Best Teacher

ii) Best Student

iii) Best Sportsperson

Convocation

University has held two Convocations so far. The first Convocation was held on 30^th August 2001. The Chief Guest was Prof. N K Ganguly, Director, ICMR. The Convocation was chaired by Hon’ble Chancellor, His Excellency P. C. Alexander, Governor of Maharashtra. The second Convocation was held on 5^th April 2003. Hon’ble Sharad Pawar, Member of Parliament was invited as the Chief Guest. The Convocation was chaired by Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Dr. D. G. Dongaonkar. Two Gold Medals were presented during second Convocation. Seven Degrees and nineteen PG Diplomas have been conferred during the two Convocations.

School of Training & Evaluation

Teacher is an active partner in the successful implementation of educational programmes. The University has established a School of Training & Evaluation. This school conducts aggressive training programmes for updating teachers in syllabi pattern, examination reforms, professional knowledge and communication skills. So far, 64 workshops for teachers have been conducted in which nearly 4600 teachers of all faculties have been trained. This would be an ongoing activity to revise and update the knowledge and skills of the teachers and thereby maintain their quality.

Teachers Training Workshops

Trainer’s training workshops are conducted at University headquarter at Nashik. Teachers are given opportunity during these workshops to interact with University administration.

Faculty-wise workshops conducted for the teachers are as follows.

Faculty	No. of Workshops	Participants
Medical	24	1253
Dental	07	468
Ayurved & Unani	10	684
Homoeopathy	06	728
Allied Health Sciences	07	197
Convention on Inter-pathy Research	02	260
Research Methodology	04	120
Pharmaceutical Sciences	07	895
TOTAL	67	4605

School of Research

Research is the most important component of Health Sciences Education & health care system. Keeping this in view; the University has established a School of Research, which has undertaken following activities: -

· Four workshops have been conducted on ‘Research Methodology’.

· Two Inter-Faculty Research Conventions have been organized.

· Research fellowships for 25 teachers & 100 students @ Rs. 25000/- & Rs. 2500/- each, respectively, for every academic year, have been introduced.

· Collaboration with ICMR for Research Project in epidemiological study in health status in Maharashtra is in pipeline.

· Collaboration with Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth for Research on Medicinal Herbs is in pipeline.

School of Public Health Education

Cost of health care is becoming unaffordable for common man. Cost effective health care of community would be achieved with the education of community on promotive, preventive and curative aspects of their health problems. Keeping this in mind, the University has undertaken a Public Health Education Programme as part of Community Engagement. We have already launched this programme from World Health Day 2002. AIDS Awareness Day was organized on 1st December 2002 and a rally of students of affiliated colleges at Nashik was taken out through the city. The affiliated colleges also conduct similar programmes throughout the State. We have signed an MOU with Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Nashik for conduct of Health Awareness Certificate Courses, through distance education programme, for people at large.

Epidemiological Study

For planning of health services & health science education, the database of prevalent health status of the community is required. Unfortunately, in India no such authentic data is available. Considering the need of such data for the base line information of health status of the people in the country, the University took initiative to undertake a pilot study in Nashik district with the help of interns of affiliated colleges at Nashik, District Health Authorities and Municipal Corporation of Nashik. It is proposed to conduct similar epidemiological study throughout the state as per the module prepared based on the pilot study.

a) Objectives

· To estimate prevalence of morbid conditions in study population

· To study the pattern of morbidity

· To study various socio-demographic factors affecting the morbidity.

· To study health seeking behaviour of study population

· To design and implement programmes for various interventions depending on study findings.

b) Methodology

A representative sample was drawn from a sampling frame of whole of Nashik district from urban, rural & tribal areas, using 30 cluster sampling technique. A sample of 5648 families, including a total population of 32347 of all age groups and both sexes, was interviewed with a pre-tested questionnaire.

c) Observations of the Study

Sr. No.	Finding	Prevalence (in %)
		Urban	Rural	Tribal	Combined
1	Illiteracy	19.00	28.00	53.00	33.33
2	Water purification	71.70	94.00	38.00	67.90
3	Use of latrines	82.00	30.00	15.00	42.33
4	Tubercules is out of total 33 cases	66.00	33.00	33.00	44.00
5	Receiving treatment for TB	59.09	33.30	40.00	44.13
6	Leprosy (Anaesthetic Hypo pigmented patches)	02.24	01.08	00.68	01.33
7	Cases on treatment	72.00	40.00	62.00	58.00
8	HIV-awareness	71.90	55.90	27.00	51.60
9	Breast feeding up to 1 year	73.00	62.00	62.00	65.67
10	Worm infestation	13.00	09.00	09.00	10.33
11	Acute Respiratory Infections	21.21	06.98	23.82	17.34
12	School drop-out	03.00	03.00	14.00	06.67
13	Eligible couples / 1000 population	110	136	135	127
14	Aware of F.P. method	90.00	90.00	58.00	79.33
15	Couple protection rate	69.00	69.00	58.00	65.33
16	Hypertension	08.44	03.60	01.28	04.44
17	Diabetes mellitus	04.02	03.17	00.26	02.48

CET Section

· This section has evolved an efficient & transparent mechanism of Common Entrance Test.

· CET for entire state for the first time conducted in 1999 for undergraduate admissions on a big scale.

· Successful conduct of seven CETs for Undergraduate, Post-Graduate & Super-Speciality admissions with efficiency & transparency.

· The feed back from the students appearing in MH-CET-1999 & PGM-CET-2000 shows that more than 90% students have given excellent & satisfactory remarks about conduct of Examination and admission process.

· University is fully prepared and geared up to conduct the CETs for undergraduate, postgraduate and super speciality courses.

Eligibility Section

· Computerisation of eligibility mechanism has effectively controlled malpractices in admissions.

· Software developed for maintaining students record

· Data of NRI & management quota is regulated at University level

· Affiliated colleges are made aware of procedures and rules for grant of eligibility, displaying them on website and through issuance of circulars.

Finance & Accounts

The Finance & Accounts dept. has been computerized enabling speedy handling of receipts & payments. The accounts Upto 31^st March 2003 have been audited. Computerised audit of the section can be carried out at any given time.

University Budget :

(Rs in Lacs)

Year	Receipts	Expenditure	Deficit /Surplus (-) (+)
1998-1999	62.24	40.52	(+) 21.72
1999-2000	1593.70	1834.47	(-) 240.77
2000-2001	3738.78	3743.35	(-) 4.57
2001-2002	2575.20	2582.46	(-) 7.26
2002-2003	1072.51	1077.25	(-) 4.74
2003-2004	2232.12	2244.53	(-) 12.41

The budget for the year 2003-2004 is as follows.

Sr. No.	Budget for 2003-2004	Receipt (Rs. in Crores)	Expenditure (Rs. in Crores)
1	Maintenance Grant a) Own Resources b) Salary Grant	10.71 2.26	10.84 2.26
2	Development Grant	9.35	9.35
	Total	22.32	22.45

Grant Received from Govt. for the construction of University complex and expenditure incurred thereon.

(Rs. in Lacs)

Year	Grant Received from Govt.	Expenditure on Works	Balance
1998-1999	10.00	10.00	Nil
1999-2000	500.00	500.00	Nil
2000-2001	196.00	143.44	52.56
2001-2002	188.91 (Grant 150.00 + Int. on Government Grant Investment)	101.49	139.98
2002-2003	45.00	84.41	100.57
Total :-	939.91	839.34	100.57

Statement showing year wise grant received from Govt. & expenditure incurred by MUHS for Salary and Office Expenses.

(Rs in Lacs)

Year	Grant Received	Expenditure Incurred	Remarks
1998-1999	62.24	45.06	Out of the balance Grant Rs 17.18 Lacs, Rs 5.94 Lacs utilised during 2000-2001 and Rs 11.24 Lacs utilised during 2001-02
1999-2000	185.00	90.00	Balance Grant Rs 95 Lacs utilised during the year 2000-2001
2000-2001	49.00	149.94
2001-2002	178.00	191.00
2002-2003	104.40	150.71
Total	578.64	626.71

Expenditure on wages pay and allowances and its percentages with total expenditure (University fund + Govt. fund) is given below.

Year	Expenditure on Wages, Security & Pay Allowances	Percentage with total Expenditure
1999-2000	40,30,559	18.30%
2000-2001	90,32,855	23.09%
2001-2002	99,52,035	31.46%
2002-2003	1,07,16,186	28.87%

Fund position as on 31/03/2003

Development Fund Rs. 2261.36 Lacs

Earmarked Funds

Sr. No.	Particulars	Rs. (in Lacs)
1	Depreciation Fund	38.50
2	Contingency Fund	12.20
3	Development and Research Fund	392.55
4	Library Fund	51.59
5	School of Training and Evaluation Fund	109.18
	Total	604.02

Library

Various Books published by the All India Universities Association, bound volumes of University News since 1996, books published on National Family Health Survey and Commonwealth University volumes are available. Various Journals on Medical and other branches of Medicine are also available in the Library. The library is in development phase and it is proposed to convert it in ‘Digital Library’ after shifting to new premises.

Information Computer Technology

Complete computerization of following departments

a) Examination Section

b) CET / Eligibility Section

c) Finance & Accounts Section

Use of Internet Technology

a) Proxy Server Technique

· Installed a 64 KBPS ISDN line & ISDN internet connection

· Proxy Server has been set up

· All departments have access to Internet

b) Mail Server Technique

· Controls incoming & outgoing E-mails

· All departments have own E-mail addresses

· E-mail addresses of all affiliated colleges are available

c) Web-Site http://www.muhsnashik.com

· Own interactive website

· All notifications, Directions, Syllabi & important / urgent Information is placed regularly on University web-site

· Results are put on University web-site with full mark sheet of individual students.

Collaboration with other Universities

As community engagement, it is proposed to start certificate courses in ‘Health Awareness’ for the people in collaboration with Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Nashik. The MOU has been signed & the work is in progress.

In collaboration with Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Agricultural University, Dapoli, it has been decided to develop Herbal Garden at the University Campus and compilation of medicinal plants available in rural area of Maharashtra, which will be useful in Research and Public Health Care as well.

A pilot study, of health status of people of Nashik district comprising of Urban, Rural & Tribal areas was undertaken with the collaboration of ICMR, New Delhi. It is proposed to conduct the same type of study in all the districts in Maharashtra, so that database will be available for effective planning of health services delivery, research and teaching.

Students Welfare Activities

a) NSS

· This activity started from 2000-2001 with a strength of 3222 volunteers in 62 colleges. By 2002-2003 the strength increased to 7000 volunteers in 80 colleges.

· Activities Undertaken - Blood donation, Health Education, Health Survey, Water Conservation, AIDS-awareness.

· Selected volunteers participated in National Integration Camps, Adventure Training Camp and Environment Enrichment Camp.

· 19 programme officers have undergone orientation training at NSS Training, Orientation & Research Centre at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai from 13 to 22 May 2003.

b) Sports

· Students of the University regularly participate in inter-university sports competition – “Aswamedh” at State level & AIU tournaments at National level.

· Miss Yashaswini Narayanpethkar, a student of Dhanwantari Ayurved College Udgir, bagged two Gold Medals at AIU Aquatic Championship 2002-2003 and was declared as ‘Best Woman Swimmer of the Tournament’. She was awarded Best Sportsperson award of the University for that year.

c) Cultural Activities

· Our students participate every year in “Dr PC Alexander Chancellor’s Essay Competition” in Marathi and English conducted by Pune and Mumbai University respectively.

· Ms Smita R Bhandare, a student of Ayurved Mahavidyalaya Panchavati Nashik of our University participated in state level essay competition on AIDs awareness in 2001 and was awarded prize for the third best essay.

d) Students Councils

· College Students Councils & University Students Council have been constituted and their meetings are held regularly.

Interaction with Students, Deans & Management

· Faculty-wise interaction meetings are held with the Students once a year for discussions about their problems & suggestions.

· The Meetings of Deans & Managements of affiliated colleges are held twice a year for better interaction.

Participation in conferences

This University has participated in “12^th International Conference on assessing policy on higher education” held at Melbourne, Australia.

This University had an opportunity to participate in “Planning meeting of Commonwealth Universities to combat the impact of HIV / AIDS on higher education sector” held at Geneva in March 2001.

This University participated in “International Conference on Medical Education and Technology” organised by N.T.R. University of Health Sciences, at Hyderabad, during January 2002 and presented a paper on “Academic Reforms and its impact on Health Sciences Education”. The paper was well received.

University had an opportunity to attend Asia Regional Workshop on “Community Engagement as Core Value for the University” held in Goa during May 2002 organized by Association of Commonwealth Universities. During this workshop, this University presented its experience of community engagement.

University was fortunate to get representation on a study group constituted by the Health Family Welfare & Nutrition Division of the Planning Commission to prepare scheme of 10^th Five Year Plan (2002-2007) for Human Resource Development in health Care System. In it’s meeting, stress was laid on establishment of Health Education Commission at National level for academic, financial and administrative authority.

A paper was presented on “Quality Assurance in Health Sciences Education” at West Zone Vice-Chancellors’ Conference held at Nagpur during October 2002 and at AIU, National Conference held at Mumbai during November 2002. This paper was appreciated a lot.

Feedback on University paper presentations at conferences

A paper on “Educational reforms & its impact of Health Science Education” was presented at International conference on Medical Education and Technology organised by N. T. R. University at Hyderabad in January 2002. Following is the feedback on this paper presentation :-

a) We are encouraged to note your efforts in development of accreditation process at University level.

- Dr. P. T. Jayawickramarajah, Scientist / Regional Advisor Human Resources for Health, WHO Regional Office for South – East Asia, New Delhi.

b) Your excellent presentation was greatly appreciated by all.

- G. Sham Sundar, Vice-Chancellor, N.T.R. University of Health Sciences, A.P.

c) I am highly impressed with your openness to speak out the real problems, how to solve them and how to implement.

- Satu M. Somani, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology, South Illinois University, School of Medicine, U.S.A.

d) Your University has done a yeomen job of developing the curricula for various undergraduate & postgraduate Medical Course based on MCI regulations.

- Dr. S H Srivastava, Dean P S Medical College, Karamsad, Gujrat.

Remarks of AIU Inspectors

University was inspected by AIU Inspectors for its regular membership on 18/04/2003. They have offered following remarks in visitors book.

a) “This is a classical example of how dedication and sincerity could bring complex transformation. May this University be the torchbearer for the rest of country.”

- Dr. Mahendra Bhandari, Director, Sanjay Gandhi PGI, Lucknow.

b) “This University should act as role model for others”

- Prof. V. K. Patil, Vice-Chancellor, IGRV, Raipur.

Future Plans of MUHS

· Ongoing Evaluation of systems by a neutral agency.

· Ongoing upgradation of quality of teachers.

· Ongoing research activity.

· Disaster Management Programme.

· Continued Engagement with Community.

· Public Health Education

Ø Web based information.

Ø Certificate Courses in Health Awareness.

· Preparedness for Globalisation.

Bottlenecks for the University

· Shortage of Manpower

· Funds for Construction of University Building

· Space and Accommodation

· De-affiliation of Post Graduate (PG) Courses

· Withdrawal of Conduct of CET from the University

University Campus Development

The University has been allotted 51 acres of Govt. land on Nashik Dindori Road within Nashik Municipal Corporation limits. The campus is located in the scenic hilly surroundings, in the vicinity of the famous Jain Shrine of Chaamar Lene, with a commanding view of the area around. At present, this land is in possession of Govt. The State Govt. is developing the campus through consultant architect and private contractors. Construction of buildings is planned in two phases. The total cost works out to about Rs. 30 crores, out of which 16 crores have been earmarked for first phase. Under the first phase, the construction is undertaken for administrative building, guesthouse, library, staff quarters, and infrastructure development. So far an amount of Rs. 9.39 crores has been released from the Govt., out of which an amount of Rs. 8.39 crores has been spent. Approximately, 60% construction work out of phase one has been completed. The administrative building has one lakh. sq. ft. area, out of which 50,000 sq. ft. area is nearing completion. The whole first phase programme was to be completed within 15 months from August 1999. However, for one or the other reason there was a delay in construction work. We are awaiting part possession of the building.