D.G. Khan Medical College was established in 2010. Initially the classes were started at Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur, which were shifted to the D.G.Khan on November 28, 2011. The Government of the Punjab has allocated 522 kanals of land for the construction of regular academic block and hostel building and expansion of attached 346-bed DHQ Hospital ,where all the major medical and surgical specialties are provided including, Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Gynecology, ENT, etc

The educationist conducted interview of Principal Ghazi Khan Medical College Prof Dr Muhammad Saeed. Followings are the details of the interview:

• The Educationist: Sir, can you please give a brief account of your academic achievements & early life?

Prof. Dr. M. Saeed: I have done Matriculation from Divisional Model School Mianwali in 1984 and FSc from Govt. Degree College Mianwali in 1986 and after that I did my MBBS from Nishtar Medical College Multan in 1992, then in 2000 I completed MCPS and FCPS from College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan.

• The Educationist: Where did you serve before this prestigious position?

 Prof. Dr. M. Saeed: I was working as pofessor of ENT at Punjab Medical College Faisalabad.

• The Educationist: Every day we hear young doctors’ strikes in news, what is your opinion regarding this? Is there any student politics behind this factor?

Prof. Dr. M. Saeed: No, due to false and bad image created by media, people have developed negative perception about doctors and they do not give respect to doctors. On the other hand people demand protocol from doctors after adopting such a humiliating attitude with doctors, As a result, young doctors also become reactionary and this results in fight between doctors and patients. Secondly, as far as the student politics is concerned, there is no students politics in colleges rather there are blood donor society, literary society, debating society which are positive healthy actives for students so there is no enough time for them to get involved in such negative activities.

• The Educationist: PMDC vice president Prof Dr Abid Farooqi says “There are more medical colleges than required, affecting quality of education. Not a single medical college in the country meets the criterion of PMDC.” What are your remarks on this?

 Prof. Dr. M. Saeed: Well, in my point of view there is need of more medical colleges and hospitals in the country as our population is growing very rapidly. There is also need of improving the standard of education and training in colleges and hospitals as the medical field is progressing very rapidly due to introduction of new technologies.

• The Educationist: How many students are enrolled in GKMC and how many faculty members are teaching?

 Prof. Dr. M. Saeed: In Ghazi Khan Medical College there are 500 students enrolled and more than 100 faculty members are teaching.

• The Educationist: What is the strength of Ghazi Medical College & what is its weakness?

 Prof. Dr. M. Saeed: The strength is that the teachers and students are hardworking and talented but there is deficiency of teaching staff in basic departments.

• The Educationist: What challenges you are facing on this position?

 Prof. Dr. M. Saeed: The most important challenges are recruiting the teaching faculty, recognition of new departments for postgraduate training and establishment of new clinical specialities.

• The Educationist: What are your views regarding the existing education system in Pakistan?

 Prof. Dr. M. Saeed: In my opinion the existing education system should be more practical based rather theoretical.

• The Educationist: Do you think the syllabus at present is adequate to match with the topmost universities in the world, or are there any plans for upgrading the syllabus?

Prof. Dr. M. Saeed: The working is in progress for the upgrading the syllabus gradually and shifting towards problem based learning.

• The Educationist: In this era of globalization and linkage, is GKMC planning any collaboration with foreign universities?

Prof. Dr. M. Saeed: Yes, the Ghazi Khan Medical College will be very soon collaborating with foreign universities and for this, the work is in progress through educational commission for foreign medical graduates via PMDC. Moreover, GKMC is listed in the world directory.

• The Educationist: How you compare GKMC with other Medical colleges in Punjab?

Prof.Dr.M.Saeed: GKMC is competing well with other medical colleges in all fields and getting positions in UHS examination

• The Educationist: What steps did you take after taking charge as principal of GKMC?

Prof. Dr. M. Saeed:  After taking the charge of Principal GKMC, I have inducted teaching faculty, conducted first ‘”Scientific OBG SURGIMED 2017” conference and started publishing a college magazine with the name of “Ghazian”

• The Educationist: Any plans you wish you would fulfill during your tenure?

Prof. Dr. M. Saeed: Yes, I have many plans in my mind but the main plan is to increase the seats for MBBS students and establishment of Dental College at GKMC.

• The Educationist: What’s the role of GKMC regarding the uplifting of health in South Punjab? Please compare the average private medical institutes with GKMC.

Prof. Dr. M. Saeed: After the establishment of Ghazi Khan Medical College and upgradation of DHQ teaching hospital Dera Ghazi Khan it is providing healthcare services to almost five million population of the city.

• The Educationist: How you see the future of GKMC?

Prof. Dr. M. Saeed: The college future is very bright, our students are taking positions in PMDC. Our students’ enrollment is high in other medical colleges of Pakistan. I hope that soon the GKMC will get the university status. New programmes would soon be introduced in the GKMC.

• The Educationist: What facilities are provided to the students of GKMC?

Prof. Dr. M. Saeed: We are providing best facilities to our students which includes hostel, transportation, online library, cafeteria and best security system.

• The Educationist: What message would you like to say to our readers and students?

Prof. Dr. M. Saeed: My message to students is that they should fully concentrate on their studies and keep themselves away from negative activities which can harm their education.