Postgraduate Medical Education

Admission Information for PGME Programmes

2011
Aga Khan University invites applications to its
internship, residency and fellowship programmes which
offer an excellent training environment with close
faculty supervision. Alongside these programmes,
students will have access to Continuing Medical
Education seminars, guest lectures by eminent
scholars, an excellent medical library and audio visual
facilities.
AKU is open to all academically qualified candidates of
either gender, regardless of religion, race, creed, colour or
domicile.
Most residency and fellowship programmes are
recognised by the College of Physicians and Surgeons,
Pakistan (CPSP), while many are recognised by the
Royal Colleges in the United Kingdom. Internships at
AKU that provide clinical experience under the
supervision of senior faculty are recognised by the
Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC).
The programmes will start from January 1, 2011.
Internship
All medical graduates, including those awaiting their
MBBS final results by end November 2010 are eligible
to apply.
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MBBS graduates must be from a PM&DC recognised
institution and provisionally registered with the
PM&DC.
Applicants are required to take an Admission Test aimed at
evaluating application of knowledge in solving common
clinical problems not specific to any specialty. Based on the
Admission Test result , the applicant will be considered for
an interview.
Successful candidates will be offered a one-year contract:
6 months each in medicine and allied specialties and surgery
and allied specialties. Candidates will be required to submit
all pending documents along with PM&DC registration (if
not submitted with the application form) by December 10,
2010. Rotations will be allocated according to ranking on
the final merit list.
Interns who successfully complete the 1-year Internship
programme at AKU with good standing and are interested
to pursue Residency Training at AKU, will be exempted
from writing the Residency Admission Test. Further,
please note that those who will not complete the 1-year
programme for any reason(s) shall only be issued an
employment certificate by the HR Department.
Applicants selected from training programmes in other
institutions, must submit a No Objection Certificate or
a copy of a resignation letter approved by the supervising
consultant, before joining the training programmes • Hold an MBBS degree from an institution recognised
at AKU. by PM&DC.
• Have a valid registration with the PM&DC until
Residency December 2011 at the least; candidates whose PM&DC
license will be expiring in December 2010 are required
to submit a copy of their current license, as well as their
Applications are invited for the following residency
license renewal application submitted to PM&DC.
programmes; a candidate can apply for only one residency
• 1-year experience as a house officer/intern with 6
programme: months each in medicine and allied specialties and
surgery and allied specialties.
3-year programmes Orthopaedic Surgery • Registration with Research and Training Monitoring
Adult Cardiology Paediatrics & Child Health Cell (RTMC), CPSP, as trainees for relevant intermediate
Gastroenterology Paediatric Surgery module would be preferred.
Nephrology Psychiatry
Neurology Radiation Oncology Programme Specific Eligibility and
Pulmonary Medicine Urology Requirements
4-year programmes 5-year programmes In addition to the general requirements mentioned above;
Cardiothoracic Surgery Anaesthesiology following are the programme specific requirements:
Community Medicine Chemical Pathology
Family Medicine Diagnostic Radiology Programme Requirements
Internal Medicine General Surgery
Neurosurgery Haematology Adult Cardiology • FCPS Part I or equivalent.
Obstetrics & Gynaecology Histopathology • 2-year training in internal
Operative Dentistry Microbiology medicine.
Ophthalmology Otolaryngology/Head & • Eligible for intermediate
Orthodontics Neck Surgery module, however strong
preference will be given to
candidates who have cleared
General Eligibility and Requirements
their intermediate module.
Individuals applying for a residency programme Anaesthesia • FCPS Part I will be preferred.
must fulfil the following conditions as applicable: Cardiothoracic Surgery • FCPS Part I or equivalent.

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 • 2-year training in general
surgery.
Community Medicine • Preference will be given to
candidates with FCPS Part I
in community medicine
and medicine and allied
specialties.
Diagnostic Radiology • FCPS Part I in radiology.
Family Medicine • FCPS Part I will be preferred.
Gastroenterology • FCPS Part I or equivalent.
• 2-year training in internal
medicine.
• Eligible for intermediate
module, however strong
preference will be given to
candidates who have cleared
their intermediate module.
General Surgery • Should have passed MBBS
after 2005.
• Preference will be given to
candidates with FRCS/
AFRCS Part I or FCPS Part I.
Internal Medicine • FCPS Part I or equivalent.
Nephrology • FCPS Part I or equivalent.
• 2-year training in internal
medicine.
• Eligible for intermediate
module, however strong
preference will be given to
candidates who have cleared
their intermediate module.
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Neurology Track I
• FCPS Part I or equivalent.
• 2-year training in internal
medicine.
• Eligible for intermediate
module, however strong
preference will be given to
candidates who have cleared
their intermediate module.
Track II
• Applicants after the
completion of their
internship (and FCPS Part I)
will be considered for
2-year internal medicine
training at AKU prior to core
neurology training.
Neurosurgery • FCPS Part I or equivalent.
Obstetrics/Gynaecology • 1-year house job of which
preferably at least three
months should be in
obstetrics/gynaecology.
• FCPS Part I or equivalent.
Operative Dentistry • BDS from an institution
recognised by the PM&DC.
• 1-year house job / Internship
in various subspecialties of
dentistry
• FCPS Part I.
Ophthalmology • FCPS Part I or equivalent.
• Preference will be given to
 candidates having some
experience in ophthalmology.
Orthodontics • BDS from an institution
recognised by the PM&DC.
• 1-year house job / Internship
in various subspecialties of
dentistry.
• FCPS Part I
Orthopaedics • FCPS Part I or equivalent.
Otolaryngology/Head • FCPS Part I or equivalent.
& Neck Surgery
Histopathology • FCPS Part I or equivalent.
Haematology • FCPS Part I or equivalent.
Microbiology • FCPS Part I or equivalent.
Chemical Pathology • FCPS Part I or equivalent.
Paediatrics • FCPS Part I or equivalent.
Paediatric Surgery • FCPS Part I or equivalent.
• 2-year training in general
surgery
• Eligible for intermediate
module, however preference
will be given to candidates
who have already cleared
their intermediate module.
Psychiatry • FCPS Part I will be preferred.
Pulmonary Medicine • FCPS Part I or equivalent.
• 2-year training in internal
medicine.
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• Eligible for intermediate
module, however strong
preference will be given to
those candidates who have
cleared their intermediate
module.
Radiation Oncology • FCPS Part I in radiology is
mandatory.
Urology • Preference will be given to
candidates with FRCS/
AFRCS Part I or FCPS Part I.
Additional Information
• Applicants for surgical specialties must have cleared
their FCPS Part I in Surgery and allied specialties.
Candidates may apply in one of the following
categories:
a) Candidates who have already passed or who are
eligible to sit for the intermediate module may
enter the residency programme directly.
b) Candidates who wish to apply for preliminary core
training in General Surgery at Aga Khan University
before applying to a surgery residency training
programme.
• Applicants for Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics
will have rotations at Aga Khan University Hospital as
well as its off-campus sites at the AKHS,P hospitals.
• Applicants for Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery
will rotate through General Surgery for 6 months during
 the 5-year Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery Paediatric Critical Care Medicine
Programme. Paediatric Neurology

Flexible Residency Training Programme 3-year programmes

Medical Oncology
The University has a flexible residency training programme Paediatric Cardiology
in the fields of Anaesthesia, Haematology, Medicine and Paediatric Infectious Diseases
Paediatrics & Child Health for candidates who are unable Paediatric Haematology/Oncology
to train full-time. One position in each of the fields is
available. Women are encouraged to apply. There will be no admission test for entrance into fellowship
training but selection will be based on interviews.
Fellowship
General Eligibility and Requirements
Entrance into Fellowship (post-residency advanced training)
will be offered in the following subspecialties this year; a Individuals applying for the fellowship programmes must
candidate can apply for only one fellowship programme: have:
• An MBBS from an institution recognised by the PM&DC.
1-year programmes • A year of house job/internship, with 6 months each in
Diagnostic Neuro-Imaging medicine and allied disciplines and surgery and allied
Pain Management disciplines.
Neurovascular • Have a valid registration with the PM&DC until
Vascular and Interventional Radiology December 2011 at the least; candidates whose PM&DC
license will be expiring in December 2010 are required
2-year programmes to submit a copy of their current license, as well as their
Adult Infectious Disease license renewal application to PM&DC.
Breast & General Surgery
Cardio-thoracic Anaesthesiology
Clinical Neurophysiology and Electrodiagnostic Medicine
Programme Specific Eligibility and
Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism Requirements
General Surgery
Intensive Care Medicine In addition to general requirement mentioned above;
Neonatal Paediatrics following are the programme specific requirement/eligibility:

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Programme Requirements
Adult Infectious • 3-year approved training in
Disease internal medicine.
• Successful completion of
FCPS-II/ MRCP / American
Board of Internal Medicine
or equivalent.
Breast & General • FCPS Part I or equivalent
Surgery examination.
• Minimum 5-year training in
general surgery in accredited
and reputable programme.
• FCPS Part II or equivalent
in general surgery would be
preferred.
Cardiothoracic • FCPS Part I in anaesthesia.
Anaesthesiology • 4-year training in anaesthesia.
• FCPS Part II in anaesthesia
would be preferred.
Clinical • Completion of at least 3-year
Neurophysiology neurology training from a
and Electro diagnostic national or international
Medicine training programme.
• FCPS Part I or equivalent
in medicine and allied
disciplines.
Diagnostic • 4-year training in radiology.
Neuro-Imaging • FCPS Part II and 1-year
experience in a clinical field
other than internship/house
job would be preferable.
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Diabetes, • 4-year approved training in
Endocrinology and internal medicine
Metabolism • Successful completion of
FCPS / MRCP / Diplomate
American Board of Internal
Medicine or any other
equivalent postgraduate
qualification.
General Surgery • FCPS Part I or equivalent
examination.
• Minimum of 5-year training
in general surgery in an
accredited and reputable
programme.
• FCPS Part II or equivalent
in general surgery will be
preferred.
Intensive Care Medicine • 4-year training in anaesthesia
/medicine or pulmonary in
a reputable programme.
• FCPS Part II in anaesthesia
/medicine or pulmonary
would be preferred.
Medical Oncology • 3-year approved training in
internal medicine.
• Successful completion of
FCPS / MRCP / Diplomate
American Board of Internal
Medicine or equivalent.
Neonatal Paediatrics • 4-year paediatrics training
/residency.
 • Candidate already cleared
their FCPS (paediatrics) will
be preferred.
Neurovascular • At least 3-year neurology
training from a national or
inter national training
programme.
• FCPS Part I or an equivalent
in medicine and allied
disciplines.
Paediatric Cardiology • 4-year training in paediatrics
residency.
• Successful completion of
FCPS Part II in paediatrics.
Paediatric Critical • 4-year training in paediatrics
Care Medicine residency.
• Successful completion of
FCPS Part II in paediatrics.
Paediatric • FCPS Part I or equivalent.
Haematology / • 4-year training in general
Oncology paediatrics.
• FCPS Part II (preferred).
Paediatric • 4-year training in paediatrics
Infectious Disease residency.
• Successful completion of
FCPS Part II in paediatrics.
Paediatric Neurology • 4-year training in paediatrics
residency.
• FCPS Part I in Medicine and
allied.
• FCPS Part II will be preferred
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Pain Management • FCPS Part I or equivalent.
• Completion of 4 to 5-year
training in anaesthesia
• FCPS Part II or eligible
to appear in Part II or
equivalent.
Vascular & • 4-year training in radiology.
Interventional • FCPS Part II.
Radiology • Experience in clinical field
is desirable.
Admission information
The application package is available from the Admissions
Office, Medical College, Aga Khan University, P.O. Box
3500, Stadium Road, Karachi 74800, Pakistan, for Rs. 150/-
payable in cash or through a pay order/bank draft in favour
of Aga Khan University drawn on a bank in Karachi and
sent to the Admissions Office. Application requests through
email will not be accepted. The Admissions Office is open
from Monday to Friday, 9:00 am-12:00 noon.
Application material is also available online at
www.aku.edu/pgme/admissions (please download the form,
print & submit dully completed form to our Admission
Office.)
The completed application together with the non-refundable
application fee should be submitted to the Admissions Office
according to the following schedule:
Internship and Residency : Monday, September 6, 2010
Fellowship Training : Thursday, October 7, 2010
Please clearly state the programme you intend to Candidates from outside Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi
apply for. will not be paid TA/DA to take the admission test.

Applications received after the mentioned date will not For further information, please call the Postgraduate Medical
be processed. Education Office at
021 3486 4583 / 3486 4546 / 3486 4534.
The non-refundable application fee for the programmes
is as follows:
Salary and benefits
Internship and Residency Training Programmes : Rs 1,500
Interns will be offered a salary of Rs 15,000 per month.
Fellowship Training Programmes : Rs 1,000
Residents will be offered a monthly salary according to
Admission Test their residency level:
Resident I Rs 22,000 Resident V Rs 33,000
Candidates will have to take an Admission Test which Resident II Rs 24,000 Resident VI Rs 38,000
will be used to shortlist candidates for interviews for Resident III Rs 26,000 Resident VII Rs 45,500
internship and all residency programmes. This test will also Resident IV Rs 28,500 Resident VIII Rs 53,000
comprise a section on English, which is designed to assess
competence in the English language. Fellows will be offered a monthly salary according to
their level:
Candidates applying for adult cardiology, gastroenterology,
Fellow I Rs 60,000
nephrology and pulmonar y medicine residency
Fellow II Rs 65,000
programmes will be required to write an Admission Test
Fellow III Rs 70,000
related to their specialty.
In addition, an attractive benefits package will also be
Applications will be scrutinised and only those
provided.
meeting the eligibility criteria will be invited for the
Admission Test. The Admission Test for internship and
residency programmes will be held in Karachi, Lahore Accommodation
and Rawalpindi on Sunday, October 10, 2010. Candidates
should report for the test at the time and venue stated Subject to availability, subsidised housing near
on the Admit Card. the campus may be provided to interns, residents

8
and fellows from outside Karachi. Those who
cannot be accommodated will be provided an
outstation allowance.
Initial appointment will be for a period of one
year, renewable and subject to evaluation by
faculty.
Information for Applicants
Admission Test Centre
Applicants should indicate one centre of their
choice in the space provided in the application
form.
The time and venue of the test centres will be indicated
on the Admit Card. In case Admit Cards do not reach on
time, candidates are advised and permitted to write the
test at a convenient centre, provided they present a
photocopy of the application form and a photo ID for
identification.
Discipline
The University expects honesty from applicants.
Dishonest behaviour during the test or violation of
instructions given by the examiner will result in
irrevocable disqualification of the applicant from the
selection process.
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Test structure
The duration of the test is 2 hours and 30 minutes. The test
paper consists of 120 multiple choice questions and
all questions are compulsory. Each correct answer
receives one point. Omitted questions do not get any
points. 0.25 points will be deducted for every incorrect
response.
The Community Medicine residency test will cover
competence in English, mathematics and common clinical
problems.
The University has not authorised any publication
or preparatory classes for this test.
Answer sheet
The test will be answered on a single, printed answer
sheet, which is scored by a computer. All answers must be
marked in pencil. The answer sheet is extremely
sensitive therefore be sure before marking an answer
and make a dark mark. If you wish to change the answer,
erase it completely and then make a new mark. If the
computer reads two marks, it will record a zero.
Name and identity of the candidate
At the beginning of the test, you will be asked to fill-in your
name and application number on the answer sheet. An
example is shown below:
Sample Answer Sheet
FORM NO. F-166 SCANTRON CORPORATION 1988 4288-C998- 14 6
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Write 0 SIDE USE NO.2 PENCIL ONLY
I.D.
EXAMPLE: A B C D E
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Number 1 1 0 1 4 9
Here
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 4 ERASE COMPLETELY TO CHANGE Application Number
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
NAME Fariha Kausar
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Mark TEST AKU Internship / Residency
I.D.
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Number
Here
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 DATE 10 - 10 - 2010 PERIOD 2011
1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2

Answering multiple-choice questions 1. Laboratory studies are most likely to show:

For every question, there are 4 to 5 choices and only one A. Decreased serum K+ concentration
correct answer. B. Decreased serum Ca++ concentration
C. Increased serum HCO3- concentration
To mark the answer sheet, darken the appropriate box with D. Increased serum Na+ concentration
the pencil provided. For example, if ‘C’ is the correct answer, E. Increased serum pH
it should be marked:
A B C D E 2. In evaluating the cause of the diarrhoea, which
of the following is most appropriate?
Sample questions
A. Colonic biopsy to identify Giardia lamblia
A 34-year old woman has had severe watery diarrhoea for B. Culture of the oral cavity for Candida albicans
the past four days. Two months earlier, she had infectious C. Duodenal biopsy to identify Entamoeba
mononucleosis. She abuses drugs intravenously and has D. Gastric aspirate to identify Mycobacterium avium
antibodies to HIV in her blood. Physical examination shows intracellulare
dehydration and marked muscle weakness. E. Stool specimen to identify Cryptosporidium

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3. Further studies to evaluate her HIV infection
show the ratio of helper T lymphocytes to
suppressor T lymphocytes to be 0.3. This
occurs because HIV:

A. Induces proliferation of helper

T lymphocytes
B. Induces proliferation of suppressor
T lymphocytes
C. Infects cells with CD-4 receptors
D. Infects macrophages
E. Stimulates the synthesis of leukotriene

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Notes

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Stadium Road, P.O. Box 3500, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
Fax: +92 21 3493-4294; Tel: 3493-0051
Email: pgme@aku.edu