Interview With Prof. Dr. Asghar Ali Randhawa

MBBS, MD (Principal PMC)

Interviewers: Usman Afzal, Ahsan Mehdi, Amna Rasul, Abdul Wahab

Q1-           Today we know Prof. Asghar Ali Randhawa as Principal of Punjab Medical College, Sir I would like to know about your early life and share it with all the PMCians, about your place of birth, your early schooling and then graduation.

Ans:  I belong to Gojra, a tehsil of district Toba Tek Singh. I got my early education and passed my secondary school certificate exam & F.Sc. from Gojra. I had my graduation (MBBS) from Nishtar Medical College, Multan.

Q2-           What about your childhood habits? Were you a naughty or a simple child and what about your extra-curricular activities in the school life? Sir, please share your memories with us.

Ans:  I was not that much naughty, rather I was quite simple. Liked to play football in my childhood. (He added), I was punctual and disciplined in my routine activities.

Q3-           Who was more strict, your father or mother? How was the atmosphere of your house, religious or liberal one?

Ans:  Like most of the others, my father was a bit strict as compared to my mother. We had a religious & simple environment in our house. You may take into account the house of a farmer.

Q4-           School & college days are regarded as the most charming part of one’s life. No worries, no tension and any such things – what do you say about it?

Ans:  School, college days always worried me to secure good marks in the exams. This thing is for sure, to no doubt, in professional college days are more beautiful & charming. I agree with you people. (He smiled while commenting)

Q5-           Being the head of a medical institution is quite a tough & challenging job. Well sir, did you ever think that one day you will become the principal of Punjab Medical College?

Ans:  Well being the carrier officer, I had always expected from my GOD for this blessing. No doubt, it’s quite tough & challenging but I was mentally prepared.

Q6-           Sir, kindly share your ideas of innovations that you would like to bring in the basic departments of the college.

Ans:  I have the plan to improve the strength of the teachers. The vacant seats will be filled soon. Moreover, the class-rooms & laboratories will be air-conditioned. The problem of power failure will also be solved.

Q7-           Bed side teaching is the back bone of medical education. Students of PMC feel a room for improvement in this regard. What are your plans to improve further the teaching schedule in the wards? Shouldn’t it be more structured & coordinated?

Ans:  Well, I’m trying hard to improve the attendance of the students in wards. Now it will be mandatory, at the end of each ward attendance will be sent to college admin. office. Evening round of the wards to see the patient, and discussion is my mission.

Q8-           We the medical students have got quite a tough schedule of classes round the calendar. Sometimes it is quite difficult to attend the classes in the lecture theatres during extremes of temperature. Sir, are you making some personal efforts to make our lecture theatres & tutorial rooms more comfortable and air-conditioned?

Ans:  This is a desire of everyone, both staff students. Now we have the PC-1 of this proposal in Health Department and Insha-Allah by next summer we shall be having air-conditioned class rooms & lecture theatres. (Worthy principal was quite hopeful & so was the interview team on this answer)

Q9-           PMC remained affiliated with Punjab University more or less for 30 years. Now UHS is examining our students since 2003 under new examination system. Are you satisfied with way they are dealing us?

Ans:  I am quite satisfied with this system of examination. The reason is that this system ensures a thorough study by the students & no student can pass without studying.

Q10-       Sir, you have got an image of a lively personality; what would you like to say about the co-curricular activities in college? Have you any plans to provide more chances of entertainment to students in terms of class trips/tours & functions on administrative levels?

Ans:  Yes, I do believe in all such healthy activities. They boost up the intellectual health of the students. Class tours under the supervision of teachers, games, debates, & mushaira – all are being held in the academic calendar of college.

Q11-       Our institution is also an approved centre for Post-Graduate Medical Education in various disciplines. What are your plans to improve further the training of P.G. students?

Ans:  Now we are maintaining the slots of post-graduate trainee with each supervisor and now supervisor can give individual attention to his P.G. trainee. I am ensuring that each of these trainee is getting a handsome stipend.

Q12-       A large number of out-station students are residing in the boarding houses of PMC & feel the need of improvement in the living conditions there. Sir, kindly disclose the steps you are going to take for boys & girls hostels.

Ans:  I’m planning to establish at least one air-conditioned fully furnished reading/study room in each hostel. Cold drinking water supply of standard hygienic quality food stuff are my other aims. (Insha-Allah – says the interview team)

Q13-       Sir, what are your views regarding research culture at under-graduate level? Are you going to promote research culture among PMCians?

Ans:  Yes, I’m of the opinion to encourage & develop research culture among the students. I am going to improve this trend by providing more funds to the chief researcher and research fellows. A handsome amount will be paid to each research fellow.

Q14-       Well Sir, most of the authorities never compromise on the disciplinary matters among the students. Are you satisfied with the disciplinary status in our college?

Ans:  Yes, why not, I personally feel that one should not comprise on discipline in the college. And so I will, with no exception.

Q15-       Inviting the Guest Speakers from the other institutions & arranging the orientation lectures for the students is a missing part on behalf of PMC students. What’s your opinion about this healthy activity?

Ans:  It is a good practice for having exchange of views by inviting guest speakers. Insha-Allah I’ll try my best to pay attention towards this aspect.

Q16-       Sir, what do you think, shouldn’t there be a platform where the old students of PMC could get–together & share their memories? Most of them are looking forwards towards you for the patronage of PMC – Alumni. What’s your idea?

Ans:  I, myself, want to start this trend by arranging an alumni function. I appreciate your idea. (He thought for a while – might be thinking of his college fellows…!!)

Q17-       Sir, please highlight some of the new facilities you are introducing to facilitate the patients in the out-patient department and indoor.

Ans:  I’m going to ensure this thing that in out-patient department, doctor will be available for the patient right at 8:15am. In indoor units, the round of consultants for the patient will be a daily routine activity.

Q18-       Tell us something about your family; what kind of a father and husband you are?

Ans:  I’m kind & disciplined father and husband as well.

Q19-       They say, behind every successful man there is a woman. What’s your opinion about it? Does your spouse provide you a helping hand to tackle various problems, though she is also a faculty member of PMC?

Ans:  Yes, she is a very supportive for me in order to tackle day to day problems. She is very intelligent and keen observer, and obviously this thing of her is very helping for me in all walks of life.

Q20-       Sir, we see Masha-Allah you in quite a handsome & strong built up. What is the key to it? And please also tell us how you spend your leisure time?

Ans:  (He smiled at this question) Well, a good healthy diet & regular exercise are open-secrets for this. I seek pleasure by playing with my children in my leisure time.

Q21-       How do you rate the students PMC in view of standards of medical education at international level? Any sort of message for them…!!

Ans:  PMCians are second to none, no doubt about it. (He was quite confident while saying this) My students are full of knowledge and have an excellent stuff in them for all sorts of fields in post-graduation.

Q22-       In the end, what would you like to say about ‘Netizens’? Have you ever visited the college web-site, being maintained by ‘Netizens’, what’s your opinion?

Ans:  I appreciate the society of Netizens. It’s good effort to keep the students alive & alert. Overall, a good healthy activity in PMC.