PhD Program

    PhD Public Health Programme

    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.

    Program Goals  & Objectives:

    Program Goal & Objectives The goal of the PhD program is to develop the superior level of skilled human resources for developing the scientific basis for disease prevention and control and health promotion, demonstrating an excellence in research, service, and academic leadership. Through this program, HSA will groom a critical mass of public health professionals who could take decision making positions in government and non-government sectors to re-orient the health system of the country through program design, organization, and pedagogy. The objectives of the PhD Public Health Program is as under:- 1. To enhance academic knowledge in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Demography, Health Policy Management, and Health Systems, Nutrition and Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases. 2. To provide advanced skills in public health for designing and conducting applied research in public health, in analyzing and presenting epidemiological research, and in evaluating and interpreting published research. 3. To enhance and strengthen the candidates' management and leadership skills.

    Admission Criteria and Procedures

    Minimum CGPA requirement for admission in PhD program is CGPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0 in semester system) or first division (in the annual system) in the most recent degree obtained, whether such degree is obtained in Pakistan or from a foreign universities 2. Testing Requirement: (a) All applicants to PhD programs shall be required to take one of the following non subject specific admissions test I. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test administered by the Education Testing Service with minimum of 70% marks (If international, 60%marks would be acceptable). ii. A graduate admission test administered by the Education Testing Council; or iii. With the permission of the HEC, an equivalent test developed by HSA or by another university, for admissions to graduate programs. (b) Subject tests shall not be required for admission to most PhD programs, with the possible exception of certain science disciplines, at the discretion of the university. 3. A two-pager synopsis on the topic that candidate may like to pursue for his/her doctoral thesis. Synopsis must reflect the issue identified, burden of disease, rationale of research, research question and objectives, proposed methodology and population of study, expected outcomes of the research study.

    Program Structure and Design

    PhD program shall be carried out according to HEC Policy 2016 read with Health Services Academy statutes, regulations and rules.

    Steps for Completion of PhD Degree:

    1. Admission of the successful candidates (approval from Graduate Research and Management Council) 2. Letter of admission confirmation 3. Issuance of Admission card 4. Course Work (24 credit hours) - The eligibility for appearing in the Comprehensive Examination is 3.0 CGPA in all core courses . The two elective courses can be waived off to GPA 2.5. 5. Comprehensive Examination (Compulsory to attain at least 60% marks in Witten and Viva, each). 6. Supervisor allocation and research title, approval from GRMC. 7. Synopsis/ Research Proposal Defense given by the student and critically reviewed and graded by the faculty (same may be counted as first seminar). And send to GRMC for approval Student Hand Book 2022-2023 8. Second research seminar after data collection/ preliminary analysis 9. Pre-defense seminar, after completion of analysis, discussion of results 10. Fourth seminar, presentation of final results 11. Biannual reports will be submitted by the supervisor before 30th June and 31st December, every year. 12. Publication in HEC recognized Journal (at least X and W category) 13. Thesis submission (evaluation will be by two foreign evaluators, two positive reports are required for the final defense) 14. Final Defense (open house) 15. Award of Degree (GRMC and Syndicate) 16. Completion of PhD Country Directory proforma

    Time lines and Components:

    The three-year PhD Programme consists of the following components:

     

     

    Scheme of Studies:

    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.

    Supervisor, Thesis Title and Research Proposal

    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. 

     

    The Program Structure

    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.

    • The course work will be constituted of advanced courses of PhD, spread across two semesters. First semester will comprise mandatory core courses of 10 credits; and the second semester would be of elective courses of 8 credits. A minimum of 18 credits of course work of PhD level is compulsory. Course work of PhD level done at other accredited institutions may also be considered, subject to approval of HSA PhD committee and the QAU.
    • The courses will be designed on class room teaching and self directed learning. Elective courses will be based on advanced levels in the selected topic and will provide an in-depth student-faculty interaction. Self directed learning courses will be offered with specific faculty as PhD electives.
    • Learning resources will include libraries (HSA, HEC etc), computer lab, and learning resource centres of QAU. Furthermore, field based work or placements could be based on pilot studies to be conducted during the first two years of program to ultimately develop a formal thesis protocol/synopsis.
    • The research work and award of degree will be supervised by a HEC recognized PhD Thesis Supervisor (must have demonstrated research capability through publications, especially being principal author of at least five research papers published in peer reviewed journals) and Co-Supervisors from related areas of expertise. Upon admission to program a Supervisor will be assigned to the enrolled student who will help the student to select the course curriculum and committee members during the year one of admission. The HSA-PhD committee will oversee the proper implementation of the program and monitor the progress in postgraduate courses, the research project and preparation of thesis.

    Qualification

    • MPhil/MS in any Public health discipline from a PMDC/HEC recognized university.
    • A college or a university teacher or staff of a research organization holding MA/MSc with proven research ability demonstrated (preferably at least 2 peer reviewed research publications in HEC recognized/Medline Indexed journals) may also be considered for admission to PhD.

    List of Elective Courses

    Program Execution, Credits and Duration

    • The PhD Public Health is a 3 - 8 years degree program with Course work of 24 credit hours and Research work leading to submission and defense of thesis. (a) The courses are designed on class room teaching and self-directed learning. Elective courses will be based on advanced levels in the selected topic and will provide an indepth student-faculty interaction. Self-directed learning courses will be offered with specific faculty as PhD electives. (b) The minimum period for completion of PhD requirements shall be three years from the date of registration, and the maximum period shall be eight years. Only under exceptional circumstances, to be described in detail by the candidate and supported by the supervisor, the *Graduate Research & Management Council (GRMC) may allow extension beyond five years. (c) Residence requirement of two years shall be necessary for the students pursuing PhD programme. (d) Learning resources will include libraries, computer lab of HSA, HEC etc. Furthermore, field-based work or placements could be based on pilot studies to be conducted during the first two years of program to ultimately develop a formal thesis protocol/synopsis. The research work and award of degree will be supervised by a HEC recognized PhD Thesis supervisor must have demonstrated research capability through publications, especially being principal author of at least five research papers published in peer reviewed journals) and Co-Supervisors from related areas of expertise. Upon admission to a program, supervisor will be assigned to the enrolled student who will help the student to select the course curriculum and committee members during the year one of admission. (e) The courses shall be selected with the approval of the supervisor from amongst the courses being offered in the department. (f) For the course work, the mode of registration and examinations shall be governed by the MS regulations. (g) PhD course work should be completed by students in the first year (two semesters) where they are required to earn 24 credit hours. (h) The GRMC of HSA will oversee the proper implementation of the program and monitor the progress in postgraduate courses, the research project and preparation of thesis.

    PhD level courses

    Core courses Semester I

    • Advanced Health Systems Research (4 credits)
    • Public Health Ethics (3 credits)
    • Public Health Leadership and Systems Thinking (3 credits)

    Elective Courses Semester II

    • Advanced Epidemiology (4 credits)
    • Health Sector reforms (4 credits)
    • Strategic planning in health sector of developing countries (4 credits)
    • International Health (4 credits)
    • Performance and Quality Management in Hospitals (3 credits)
    • Applied Econometrics (3 credits)
    • Applications in Monitoring & Evaluation (3 credits)
    • Comparative Health Systems and Policy Analysis (2 credits)
    • Applied Nutrition in Public Health (2 credits)

    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.

    Thesis

    The thesis submitted by a PhD candidate shall comply with the following conditions: (a) It shall form a distinct contribution to knowledge and afford evidence of originality, shown by the discovery of new facts, by the exercise of independent critical judgment, and/or by the invention of new methods of investigation. (b) It shall not include research work for which a degree has already been conferred in this or any other university. (c) It shall be written in English and the presentation must be satisfactory for publication. (d) Any part of the thesis which has been published before submission of the thesis may beStudent Hand Book 2022-2023 11 appended at the end of the thesis. (e) The thesis shall be typed on A4 size (11.69"x8.27") paper with margins of 1-½" on the left and 1" to the right, top and bottom of each page. The thesis shall be hard bound with red1 cloth cover and golden lettering on the front and the spine.

    Examination

    (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.

    Fee and Other Dues

    Each student shall be required to pay tuition fee and such other charges as may be prescribed by the
    Syndicate from time to time.

    Foreign Expert Evaluation

    The PhD Dissertation must be evaluated by at least two PhD experts from technologically
    /academically advanced foreign countries in addition to local Committee members.

    Open Defense:

    An open defense of Dissertation is essential part of PhD Program after positive evaluation of
    Dissertation

    Research Paper

    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.

    Plagiarism Test

    The Plagiarism Test must be conducted on the Dissertation before its submission to the two foreign
    experts, as described above.