Warm reception for MRCS course and exam in Pakistan

RCSEd extended its presence to Pakistan in 2022 by arranging two events. The Edinburgh International MRCS OSCE Preparation Course took place at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre in Lahore on 24 and 25 September.

This was the RCSEd’s first international preparation course after a three-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zahid Raza, the College’s Examinations Convener, directed the course in person. A Faculty of examiners from Pakistan and other countries carried out coaching during the two-day state-of-the-art course. The candidates had a good learning experience, as shown by their enthusiastic participation and excellent feedback.

Two months later the College’s MRCS Part B Clinical Examination took place at the same venue.

Eighty candidates were examined over two days. RCSEd Immediate Past President Professor Michael Griffin, Vice-President Tim Graham and a team of senior examiners travelled to Lahore to conduct the examination.

The feedback from candidates and examiners was exceptional. In particular, the candidates said they were extremely grateful for the presence of the College in Pakistan.

The host for both events was RCSEd International Surgical Ambassador Muhammad Asad Parvaiz, who works as a consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon in Lahore. The facilities provided to the examiners and candidates were considered on par with international standards.

Despite their busy schedule, the examiners were able to visit the culture and architecture of the historic city of Lahore, and enjoy Lahori cuisine.

It was Raza’s vision that paved the way for developing both of these events. The examinations team, headed by Kirsten Anderson and Anna Bielnik, played a pivotal role in realising this vision and in the smooth running of the examination.

The College plans to run many more academic activities and exams in Pakistan in the coming years.