The Inter-Medical University Board, which met here on Monday, decided that no student of any medical or dental college would be promoted to next class without passing the examination.

The board also announced that supplementary examinations which were postponed due to coronavirus in March this year would be conducted in June. It was also decided that no grace marks would be awarded to any failing candidate to pass an exam.

The board comprising vice-chancellors and rectors of medical varsities also announced a uniform policy with regard to online classes and assessments in medical and dental colleges across the province in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.

The meeting of the board was held here Monday at the University of Health Sciences (UHS) with the UHS VC Prof Javed Akram in the chair. Others who attended included King Edward Medical University (KEMU) vice chancellor Prof Khalid Masood Gondal, Fatima Jinnah Medical University (FJMU) vice chancellor Prof Aamir Zaman Khan, Faisalabad Medical University (FMU) vice chancellor Prof Zafar Ali Choudhry, Superior University's rector Dr Sumaira Rehman, Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) principal Prof Mehmood Ayaz, University of Lahore (UoL) pre-rector Prof Shahid Mahmud Malik, KEMU pro-vice chancellor Prof Ijaz Hussain, UHS registrar Prof Asad Zaheer and controller of examinations Dr Saqib Mehmood. The Vice Chancellor of Rawalpindi Medical University Prof Muhammad Umar and Principal, AJ&K Medical College Muzaffarabad Prof Sarosh Majid participated through video link.

"We can't compromise the standards of medical education. Medical students are advised to make preparations for their examinations", said Prof Javed Akram.

It was also decided that the examinations would be conducted as per SOPs with special emphasis on social distancing.

It was also decided not to delay the current academic session in any case and conduct the examinations of this year in October as per notified schedule.

With regards to online teaching for medical students, it was agreed that virtual classes should continue while making them more interactive in nature. Prof Javed Akram said that the MDCAT could be postponed till end of September.