INTRODUCTION TO FMC. (contributor: Javeria Abbas)

 

FAZAIA MEDICAL COLLEGE:

GOT ADMITTED? WELCOME TO FMC:

Getting enrolled in a medical college is the biggest dream of majority of students but only a few of them are lucky enough to enter the world of medicine. So if you got admission in Fazaia Medical College, you are among those fortunate enough to enter this prestigious field.

   All thanks to almighty Allah, you've made it this far. Basically, you guys are the future of the nation. Your medical life will be a rollercoaster ride, full of joys, events and interesting experiences. So we'll try our best to talk about your upcoming life in FMC, and share our thoughts on our experience, which might help you guys!

·        FAZAIA MEDICAL COLLEGE:

Fazaia Medical college was founded by Pakistan air force, located in the secure and scenic environment of PAF complex and Margalla foothills. It is located in the center of Islamabad, close to major areas, with scenic views of the Margalla hills easily visible from the lecture halls. Being a "Fazaian", student of Air Force's College makes you feel proud and you'll surely love it!

·        AFFILIATIONS: 

 

        That’s a really great concern for firstulas, that which degree we'll get and in which hospital we'll get training, and whether we'll be able to give USMLE & PLAB or not. 

        So, you are in a safe and professional institute, it has following affiliations

§  Affiliated hospital: PAF HOSPITAL ISLAMABAD (Unit-II)

§  Degree: Air University

§  Other Affiliations: PMC, HEC, ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) which means you will be eligible to give PLAB, USMLE and other countries tests also.

  .

        Okay let's make it more interesting, there will be a lot of events, societies and clubs, which will polish your skills, during your life in FMC. But first we'll talk about curriculum.

.

·        CURRICULUM:

 

FMC has a modular system, there will be 3 modules and the whole years syllabus will be divided in 3 blocks, after completing a block there will be module exam. So basically you'll go through following exams

✓ 1st Module

✓ 2nd Module

✓ 3rd Module

✓ Pre Proff

✓ Proff (Professional exam)

.

There will be some specific weightage of the internal assessment in Proffs. Usually there is 70% Proff and 30% internal assessment, but due to covid-19 it was changed to 90% Proff and 10% internal assessment.

   And internal assessment includes following things

   1. Substages

   2. Class tests

   3. All 3 Module Exams

   4. Attendance

You must be thinking, "attendance?" Yes, attendance has got marks and they really mean a lot, you get 5 marks if you have 90%+ attendance record. These easy marks can be crucial, so try to keep your attendance regular!

There will be additional lectures of Pathology, community Medicine, behavioural sciences and Islamiat. These are not actually part of 1st year's syllabus. You'll study these subjects again in upcoming years of MBBS. But their attendance is counted, so be regular. 

·        FIRST WEEK IN FMC:

So finally after orientation, you get your White Coats, and you are eager to wear that white coat and to be a called a Doctor.

 You'll be wearing white coat and you'll get introductory lectures from respective departments and you'll be introduced to the faculty. After that you'll get some lecture on etiquettes from your seniors and they will help you to express your hidden skills, also known as ragging :) It will be a memorable part of your student life and a golden chance to develop good terms and relations with your seniors. These relations will help you a lot in your coming years.

 You'll get your timetables and schedule for your labs, lectures and demos (gross Anatomy lecture). In that week, you’ll be seeing cadavers, gross Anatomy models and some really interesting models and Apparatuses. Laboratories of FMC are really well equipped and maintained.

 

 

·        CAMPUS GUIDE:

Air University is built on a very beautiful concept of architect in the heart of Margalla Hills. Changing weathers of Islamabad increases the beauty of campus.

Ø  The best place in the campus is library and I personally love to spend my leisure time in library because the view from the library is just amazing. During preparation of Substages, modules and Proffs, library remains crowded with struggling doctors, busy in their books with an aesthetic side view of Margalla Hills.

  There are two Cafès, one situated in BBA lawn and the other is the main cafè. Well I can rank them as my 2nd best place xD.

Ø  Also there is GYM and table tennis court above the cafe.

Ø  MM ALAM MASJID is situated near Football court, usually crowded during Jummah prayer.

Ø  Well, there are much more places where we usually celebrate b'days, play cards with buddies and have some fun.

Ø  Also the availability of Free Wi-Fi is blessing but you have to use proxy to use Fb or Insta. (WiFi will be provided after issuance of University card)

·        DRESS CODE

 

v STUDENT BOYS:

1. Au students are expected to be decently and neatly dressed. They must observe our culture norms in their attire and bearing.

2. Students should wear trousers with tucked in full/half sleeve dress shirts and black or brown shoes.

3. Decent Jeans/Joggers may also be worn with tucked in full/half sleeve shirts. However,

short/half pants, T-shirts and ripped, patched, or rag-tag jeans/trousers are not allowed.

4. A blazer, jacket and /or pullover may be added to the above dress during winters.

5. On Fridays, the students may put on well pressed Shalwar Kameez with waist coat/ blazer and dress shoes. 

6. Shalwar Kameez is allowed only on Friday.

 

v STUDENT GIRLS:

1. All girls are expected to dress in a modest and professional/decent manner falling in line with academic & cultural/ethical norms. Unduly revealing outfits are prohibited.

2. Girls are to wear full length trousers/shalwar and knee length kameez.

3. Decent Jeans/Joggers may also be worn with knee length kameez. However, ripped, patched, or rag-tag jeans/trousers are not allowed.

4. Wearing of dupatta/scarf is compulsory.

5. In Winters a blazer, jacket and/or pullover may be added to the above dress.

Penalty: IMPROPERLY DRESSED STUDENTS SHALL BE EITHER FINED ON THE SPOT OR ASKED TO LEAVE THE PREMISES. THEY MIGHT ALSO TAKE YOUR UNIVERSITY ID CARD AND THEN YOU'LL FACE A LOT OF PROBLEMS.( ･ั﹏･ั)

·        EVENTS:

A number of events are planned by FMC & AIR University.

 

1  Thespian Eve.

           Thespian Eve is the most exciting and interesting event. There are basically 2 rounds and there will be performance of Dramas by each department.

2. Bonfire:

           A bonfire is arranged for all years of FMC. There is usually tambola night, musical performances and some other games. And Food stalls are also present.

 

3. Sports Week:

          That's the most awaited event, especially the opening ceremony in which each department is given its own Flag and whole department will prove its own presence by their unique style of seeking attention and making noise and raising their own slogans. There will be performances of a number of sports, 

          Cricket, tug of war, basketball, badminton, table tennis, volleyball and many more games. That list and their respective organizers name will be displayed on notice board, to whom you guys will have to give trials.

          A lot of stalls and mainly "PIRATE BOAT" will be set-up during sports week.

4. Cultural Festival:

              Every department will choose a specific culture and they will have to wear and exhibit that culture by wearing clothes related to that culture. There will be performances of dances and rituals of that culture

 

5. Air FEST:

               In Air FEST, students display their stalls and that's a really exciting event.

6. Air NEXUS.

              Short Film events, Dance competitions, E- gaming and many more.

 

7.. Tour:

           Every year a tour is arranged by the CR & GR of the class after getting permission from VP & don't forget to bring outpasses from warden of girls hostel ( only for hostellites girls)

        { Unfortunately, we could arrange only a small tour to hiking due to covid situations}

 

8. Movie night:

           Well, it's not really night event, it's a day event and for that a movie is arranged for whole class in auditorium (CR will have to get special permission for that)

9. Mushaira:

           A mushaira is arranged in which renown poets are invited. Last year many poets including Anwar Masood was invited, and that's really fun.

 

10. Adbi nashist:

           That's a small event arranged in which students are allowed to express their poetic skills.

 

And many more Events are arranged, including debating competition.

·        SOCIETIES:

          There are also a number of societies which can help you polish your skills

                     

          1.Thespian society:-

                                    In this society students enhance there skills of acting and drama.

2. Ehsaas by FMC-- A nonprofit charity society:

The Holy Prophet (SAW) Said:

" whoever would like ALLAH to shade him with shade, ley him give respite to one in difficulty, or wave repayment of loan"

here at ehsaas we aim to collect donations to help the unfortunate pay off their medical bills, fee for primary education, providing rations and basic necessities, to those who are in utmost need by your help and Almighty's will. 

   3.Wall of Hope- Air Uni Chap :-

                              .This society is not only restricted to charity only Meanwhile it manages to arrange events like painting, calligraphy, e-gaming and many more. So through this society you can improve many of your skills including communication skill, videography, photography, Event Coverage skills, management skill.

  4. SYNCH- FMC✨:-

                       SYNCH (Solidarity Among Young Nation for Change), is a group of young boisterous individuals with one goal in mind: inspiring and influencing the youth. The society has managed, through its relentless work ethics, to cultivate a reputation in Pakistan as the flagbearer of the voice of youth. Primarily comprising of only a handful of medical students, it has now expanded to more than 40 medical colleges all over Pakistan and is actively endeavouring to recruit students and professionals from other walks of life as well.

    5. FMC Blood donor society :-

                   In this  group you have to tells the admin your blood group when  you join  it and then you'll be informed if any patient needs blood  and you guys can donate.

 

   6. FMC Chess Club:-

                  By entering this society you guys can improve your chess playing skills and participate in different competitions within the university and outside also.

 

   7. FMC Media Club:-

                 Engages students who exhibit interest and talent in photography, filming and handling PA equipment .Students are given the opportunity to develop their skills through training programs such as  video editing, short film projects, photography courses, exhibitions,   field , trips and competitions.

.

   8. AUDS (Debating society) :-

                       It is a society for the purpose of debate and improvement in extemporaneous speaking.

 

     9. AUWC (Writing Club) (Majlis e Ahle Qalam):-

This club organizes events such as Adabi Nashist etc.

·        Hostel life :-

 

 Hostel life is the best life. Which change our life style. We start the new life here. We make new friends. We enjoy the little things in our life. For one day we will look back And Realize they were the best things ever happened in our life.

NOTE: Hostel facility in campus is only for girls, Boys can accommodate privately as there are a number of hostels in F-8, as this sector is at walking distance from University. They are usually less expensive and well, I guess they don't have any curfew time and they really enjoy the life in Islamabad.

.

So, Talking about hostel life in FMC in particular :-

    (1) STRUCTURE OF BUILDING :-

            There are total 5 floors. The ground floor is accommodated by the 5th year seniors mostly.

            1st floor mostly with 4th year seniors, and so on up till 5th floor.

    (2) MESSING:-

            Hostel mess is located on the 2nd floor and it is really very good as compared to other hostels...They display the menu for the 2 weeks on the wall and that menu is followed but you can request warden if you want any changes in it…if all the students agree. The chef's serving food are called chacha's , because everyone is treated with respect. Even the auntie's cleaning your room.

Students are not allowed to take utensils in mess utensils to your room...

There is also tea time, but you have to bring your own cups.

There is dish washing area on the back side of the mess...the view from the mess windows is really good.

     (3) SPORT'S ROOM:-

                It is located on the 3rd floor. It has table tennis table along with its rackets and ball. Chess board, ludo and badminton rackets....

(4) TV ROOM:-

             It is located on the 3rd floor along with the sports room.

    You can go anytime in there and watch TV.(^.^)

  (5) WASHING AREA:-

            It is located on the 4th floor containing washing machine and dryer.

The best view from the Hostel I have seen so far is from the big glass windows of washing area.(✷‿✷)

  (6)STUDY ROOMS:-

            Study rooms are the rooms that are most important for medical students.

So here is the good news..!!!! There are very spacious air conditioned study rooms located on each floor....!!!(•ᴗ•)❤

   (7) DOUBLE BED DORM ROOMS:-

             One room of medical students contains 2 beds along with new mattress, 2 closets, 2 study tables with yellow tube lights attached along with 2 chairs. Rooms are spacious and are cleaned daily by baji's working there. You can also ask them to wash you clothes on monthly basis by paying them.

 There are 2 water dispensers on each floor both containing hot and cold water in them.

 (8) PRAYER AREA:-

            There is Prayer area on ground floor.✿

 (9)GYM:-

       There is a mini gym containing treadmill machine on ground floor.

 RULES:-

There are some very strict rules that are followed in the hostel as  they are necessary to maintain discipline and "DISCIPLINE IS THE BRIDGE BETWEEN GOALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS".

(1)You are not allowed to leave university premises with a signed out pass from warden.

(2)Your relatives , parents anyone who comes to visit can't go to your rooms they can meet you     only in the waiting area on ground floor.

(3)The  curfew time is 07:30 pm  for all week days except Sunday when it is 08:00 pm and in   the morning no one can leave hostel before 07:00 am as the hostel doors are locked.

(4)Attendance of each and every student is marked at night before going to bed.

(5) Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served only during the timings mentioned on mess ,no sooner or later than that.

·         RAGGING:-

     Yeah, you will face ragging in hostel also.....!!!!!( ^-^) But don't be afraid, you guys will enjoy it a lot...!!!(*-*) . Seniors will also give you mini gifts if you perform the task as they ask you to do.

 In the end I'll say...Hostel life is amazing...! Especially at night...! Friends, Fun and Memories..!❤

 

Well, in short your life at MBBS is going to be amazing Insha Allah, best of luck from my side and I hope you’ll make a lot of memories here, and I’m sure you’ll also learn a lot of things.

 

CONTRIBUTED BY: JAVERIA ABBAS

EDITED BY:  AIZA ANWAR (PUBLISHING DIRC.)
MUHAMMAD IMAD NAEEM (PUBLISHING HEAD)