THIS refers to the letter `Reckless policy on two-year degrees` (Jan 3). I wish to present another angle of the matter concerned. At present, several postgraduate students are enrolled in two-year MSc dental/medical programmes in various clinical and basic specialities at leading public-sector medical universities.
These two-year degree programmes were started at various clinical specialities to produce mid-level clinical specialists to meet consultants` shortf alls and promote them as clinical specialists to serve in rural areas throughout the country.
All such doctors, who will be passing these two-year MSc programmes in basic specialities, will be better qualified to serve and to be hired as lecturers/ demonstrators at various dental and medical institutions.
Unfortunately, most Higher Education Commission (HEC) executive decisionmakers and stakeholders are non-medical/ dental academicians having a poor understanding of related health profession academics and our professional needs, which leads to immature decisions.
In line with the saying `think globally, act locally`, HEC stakeholders should revisit the hasty decision of abolishing two-year degree programmes in the larger interest of dental and medical professions, postgraduate trainees andindeed,the public at large. Besides, all existing two-year postgraduate programmes should be promoted, and if it is necessary to abolish them, at least a timef rame should be considered to execute this plan.
All related dental and medical academic stakeholders should be involved in such decisions, as related health professional specialists` significance cannot be ignored.
