INTERNATIONAL 13th UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE

The 13th Annual Undergraduate Medical Research (UMR) Conference was successfully held on March 11–12, 2020, under the leadership of Director Dr. Khadija N. Abdullah and UMR Society President Mr. Zia Ullah. Guided by the theme “Promoting Research Culture,” the conference showcased a remarkable 160 research studies conducted by undergraduate students from medical and allied health institutions across Pakistan. The event was formally inaugurated by Dr. Khalid Khan, Director General of the Directorate of Science & Technology, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony in a dignified opening session. Following the inauguration, Prof. Dr. Najib Ul Haq, Dean of Peshawar Medical College, delivered a keynote lecture addressing emerging ethical challenges in medical research. In his presentation, he highlighted the significance of ethical considerations, discussed the difficulties and complexities researchers face, and outlined principled approaches to addressing these issues responsibly. 

The conference featured a range of academic activities, including, Poster, verbal, and quiz competitions, Research skill stations, a workshop on Evidence-Based Confidence Building, and a videography competition on the theme “Health Impacts of Climate Change”. 

The closing ceremony began at 2:00 PM in the college auditorium, and the ceremony honored Prof. Dr. Jahan Bakht, Vice Chancellor of Agriculture University, Peshawar, as the Chief Guest. In his address, he expressed appreciation for the efforts of Peshawar Medical College in fostering a vibrant research culture and commended the participants for their dedication and scholarly contributions. 

The conference successfully provided a meaningful platform for intellectual exchange and reinforced the importance of ethics, evidence-based learning, and environmental awareness in medical research. 

Organized entirely by students under the mentorship of faculty and administration from Peshawar Medical College, Peshawar Dental College, and Rufaida Nursing College, the event highlighted the expanding scope and quality of student-led research. The accompanying abstract book reflects the dedication and growing research capabilities of undergraduate health sciences students in Pakistan, addressing both clinical and public health challenges while contributing to local and global health knowledge. Through this platform, the conference continued to advance its mission of fostering a sustainable culture of inquiry, critical thinking, and ethical research among future healthcare professionals. (Annex-2, 13th UMR Bulletin 2020)