In a significant milestone for medical education in Punjab, the University of Health Sciences (UHS) has approved the province’s first-ever PhD program in Nursing. The decision marks a major step forward in advancing higher education standards within the healthcare sector and is being viewed as a progressive move toward strengthening academic and clinical research capacity in nursing.
According to official details, the newly introduced doctoral program will initially offer 20 seats in its first intake. Admission will be highly competitive, with candidates required to secure at least 75% marks in the entry test to qualify for selection. The strict merit-based criteria reflect the institution’s aim to ensure that only highly capable and academically strong nursing professionals are admitted into the program.
Education authorities have highlighted that the introduction of a PhD in Nursing is designed to bridge critical gaps in the healthcare education system, particularly the shortage of qualified nursing faculty and researchers in the region. By developing advanced-level expertise within the profession, the program is expected to strengthen teaching standards in medical institutions and contribute to more research-driven healthcare practices.
Experts and stakeholders in the health sector have welcomed the initiative, noting that it will not only enhance academic opportunities for nurses but also promote evidence-based practices in hospitals across Punjab. They believe that producing a new generation of highly trained nursing scholars will ultimately improve patient care, support modern healthcare innovation, and uplift the overall quality of the medical workforce in the province.
