MUHS to adopt valuation based on competency in all its examinations
   Date :06-Sep-2022

MUHS  
 
 
 
Staff Reporter
Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) is introducing changes not only in curriculum, but in examination system too. Vice-Chancellor Lieutenant General Dr Madhuri Kanitkar (Retd) has decided to adopt competency-based valuation in all the examinations of health sciences courses.
“To test the skills in students, we are implementing skill-based examination system. Unfortunately, medical education till now was not given proper attention in terms of enhancing its quality. The examination plays an important role where students’ skills get tested properly. There is a traditional valuation system existing since long, which we need to change now. I shall not blame any previous system, but now, we must change the system to make our students competent to cope with the global competition,” said Dr Madhuri Kanitkar.
Dr Kanitkar did not sit idle with the idea, but she convened a workshop for the paper-setters and paper moderators to ensure the valuation is done based on competency. Experts counselled these moderators and setters.
“As the skill-based courses have been included in medical education, there was a need to change the examination system too,” said Dr Kanitkar.
It was during the tenure of Dr Dilip Mhaisekar as Vice Chancellor of MUHS that the competency-based medical education came to fore. Dr Mhaisekar and his deputy Dr Mohan Khamgaonkar, the then Pro-Vice Chancellor, endeavored to implement the system.
At some colleges, Dr Mhaisekar, while at most institutions, Dr Khamgaonkar went to create awareness about the system. They succeeded in their mission to a large extent.
According to Dr Kanitkar, MUHS could successfully implement the curriculum. Now, the examination system and valuation mechanism too should be changed.
There is a difference between traditional valuation system and competency-based one. In medical education, along with regular studies, the students are learning the skills of using equipment. With modernisation in health sciences, the preparedness of the students should be high. “Considering this aspect, we are focusing more on valuation of examination. We want students to write the examination with all perspectives. The counselling of the paper-setters and moderators was the vital aspect,” explained Dr Kanitkar.