At the global level, there is a strong wave of advocacy for practicing evidence-based medicine and in that pursuit the academia is striving to produce high level research to generate evidence for improving health. For generating a credible body of knowledge and scientific evidence in publichealth, there is an increasing demand of experts in public health discipline in Pakistan; especially in the recent context of new infections, pandemics, epidemics, demographic transition, upsurge of old infections such as tuberculosis and the never-ending polio. Moreover, natural disasters such as earthquake and floods in Pakistan create a demand for trained and skilled public health workers to manage the disaster management programs of the government and those supported by international organizations. Last but not the least, the alarming state of maternal and child health indicators and the country’s pace to achieve the sustainable development goals compel to produce a force of public health professionals, researchers and academicians to face the challenges of the 21st century.
Despite the dire situation, few reputable institutions in Pakistan offer doctoral level studies in public
health. Hence there is a demand from the public health graduates and professionals for such a
program in the country, mainly because of the escalating cost of higher studies abroad. Although a
variety of masters programs in public health are offered to serve the need to acquire managerial and decision-making positions in the health system, there is a lack of doctoral level programs focusing on applied research and leadership development.
Health Services Academy (HSA), a Degree Awarding Institute (DAI) chartered by Federal Government
under HSA (Restructuring) Act 2018 is entrusted upon to enhance quality of higher education in the
country while improving governance and management by promoting public health through long term,
short term, teaching, training and research programs. Health Services Academy is a hub of capacity development to public health professionals, public health research and policy advice to Government
of Pakistan. Health Services Academy Islamabad has been offering PhD in Public Health since 2012 in affiliation with Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad. Being a degree awarding institute (DAI), HSA has a strong public health faculty that fulfils the prerequisites for offering a PhD Program in Public Health under its own seal and signature and has a history of successful execution of PhD program.
The three-year PhD Programme consists of the following components:
The coursework will comprise of 24 credit hours. 12 credit hours will be opted in 1st semester (03 core
and 01 elective) and 12 in the second semester (02 core and 02 elective).
(I) Compulsory/Core Courses: There will be five core courses (15 Credit hours) spread over
both semesters.
(ii) Elective courses: Different elective courses will be available to students from which
they can choose three courses (09 credit hours) related to their interest/specialty.
After passing the Comprehensive Examination, but before the submission of his/her
thesis, a PhD student will give four seminars on a topic relevant to his/her field of
research. The timing and contents of these seminars will be decided by the student and
his/her supervisor according to the progress in his/her research work.
The Graduate Research & Management Council (GRMC) shall appoint a supervisor (and a co-
supervisor, if necessary) from the relevant field and approve the field of research/title on the
recommendations of the department concerned. PhD students can also reach out to different faculty members at HSA with relevant background and matching research interests. Faculty members can consent to supervise given they have available slots for accommodating a doctoral student.
Program design, organization and pedagogy The PhD program will require Course work and Research work leading to submission and defense of thesis and if successful the award of PhD degree.
Transfer of credits will be permissible from reputable national/international universities at the discretion of PhD committee of HSA, in the light of existing HEC/QAU rules and regulations.
(a) There shall be a standing list of external examiners for each department consisting of
persons of eminence in the respective field of research. The list shall be suggested from
time to time by the Council of Studies of the department/Council of Faculty concerned
and approved by the Research Council. The external examiners will be requested to
critically examine the thesis for its suitability for the award of PhD degree.
(b) There shall also be a standing list of local examiners for each department consisting of
eminent persons engaged in research in the respective area. The list shall be suggested
from time to time by the Council of Studies of the department/ Council of Faculty
concerned and approved by the Research Council. The local examiners will be
requested to conduct the final viva-voce examinations of thesis.
(c) (i) The candidate shall in the first instance submit six unbound copies of his/her
completed thesis along with an application on prescribed form for the evaluation
of his/her thesis, duly forwarded by his/her supervisor and the Chairman
(Chairperson) of the department:
• Three for external examiners
• One for Examination section
• One for department office
• One for the supervisor
(ii) After corrections have been incorporated in accordance with the comments of
external examiners; two copies of thesis in loose binding, to be sent to viva-voce
examiners.
(iii) After the viva-voce examination; eight copies of the final hard-bound thesis be
submitted:
• One for Examination Section
• One for the Library
• One for the departmental office
• One for Supervisor (to be returned to the student after submission of hard
bound copy).
• One for GRMC
• One for Student Affair
• One for HEC
• Student copy
(d) The supervisor shall suggest a panel of at least eight external examiners from the
approved list. The Vice-Chancellor shall appoint three external examiners from the
suggested panel to evaluate the thesis.
(e) The reports of the examiners shall be placed before the Graduate Research &
Management Council (GRMC) for consideration.
(f) If the thesis is adjudged as adequate by two of the three examiners, the Graduate
Research & Management Council (GRMC) shall allow the candidate to appear in the
viva-voce (thesis defence) examination.
(g) If two of the three examiners find that the thesis is wholly inadequate it may be rejected
by the Graduate Research & Management Council (GRMC).
(h) If any of the examiners suggests modification/revision of the thesis, the candidate shall
be required to resubmit a revised version of the thesis, duly certified by the supervisor,
within one year.
(i) The revised version of the thesis shall be approved by the same examiner who
suggested modification/revision of the thesis.
(j) If any of the examiners finds the thesis adequate but suggests minor
modifications/revision, this may be incorporated without referring again to the
examiner as required in clause (i).
(k) The viva-voce examination shall be conducted by the two external examiners
appointed by the Vice-Chancellor from the panel approved by the Graduate Research &
Management Council (GRMC), the Supervisor and the Chairperson of the department
concerned.
(l) The viva-voce examination shall be open to the public but the evaluation will be done
only by the panel of examiners.
(m) If the candidate fails to satisfy the examiners in the viva-voce examination he/she may
be given a chance to defend the thesis for the second and final time within a period of
six months.
(n) A candidate who successfully completes all the requirements shall be awarded, with
the approval of the Graduate Research & Management Council (GRMC) and the
Syndicate, the degree of PhD under the Seal of the HSA.
The Vice-Chancellor may approve the recommendations of the Graduate Research & Management
Council (GRMC)on behalf of the Syndicate regarding the award of PhD degree to the candidate.
Each student shall be required to pay tuition fee and such other charges as may be prescribed by the
Syndicate from time to time.
The PhD Dissertation must be evaluated by at least two PhD experts from technologically
/academically advanced foreign countries in addition to local Committee members.
An open defense of Dissertation is essential part of PhD Program after positive evaluation of
Dissertation
Publication of at least one research paper based on the PhD research in an HEC approved W or X
category journal is the requirement for the award of PhD degree.
The Plagiarism Test must be conducted on the Dissertation before its submission to the two foreign
experts, as described above.