Editorial |
June 25, 2024
Striving for global excellence in research: challenges in world rankings for Pakistani medical Universities
Ahsan Waheed Rathore, Nadia Naseem
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University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore stands as the sole representative from Punjab province alongside Sindh (Agha Khan Medical University, and Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi) to secure its position among the top 800 medical universities of the world in 2024 QS World Subject Rankings. The absence of most Pakistani medical universities from these rankings underscores a broader issue within the country's higher education system. Factors contributing to this include insufficient research output, lack of international collaboration, inadequate funding, and limited focus on innovation and academic reputation. To address this issue, the research and development (R&D) in medical sciences require substantial investment, which is currently lacking especially within the public sector medical universities. Without significant funding, universities cannot support high-quality research projects or attract top-tier faculty. Secondly, there is a dire need for enhancing the quality and quantity of research publications. Pakistani universities often lag in producing high-impact research papers, a crucial criterion for international rankings. Thirdly, international collaboration and partnerships are limited, reducing the global visibility and impact of Pakistani research. Furthermore, improving the overall academic environment by attracting and retaining high-caliber faculty, modernizing curricula, and fostering a culture of alumni exchange and engagements will contribute to better rankings.