Anatomical Society of Pakistan Conference in collaboration with Anatomy department IBMS, KMU ASCON’ 20
Anatomical Society of Pakistan Conference in collaboration with Anatomy department IBMS, KMU
ASCON’ 20
ASCON’20, Anatomical Society conference 2020 was conducted successfully on the 24th of December 2020. As a joint venture of Anatomy department, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University and Anatomical Society of Pakistan it was the first Virtual conference conducted by ASP and’ KMU. The Conference theme“ Anatomy; on the edge of Tomorrow” was set to highlight the role of human anatomy in teaching, learning and research at the turn of this decade.
ASCON’20 served as a platform for the best of brains in anatomical sciences to deliberate on the current situation, challenges and advancements relating to Anatomy. It was meant to celebrate the accomplishments of those who have excelled in anatomical research: to inspire others who want to achieve excellence in it.
The conference had two plenary sessions; national and international, a panel discussion for policy identification and a scientific session for emergent researchers.
The session was chaired by honourable VC KMU Prof Dr Zia Ul Haq. The co-chair was Prof Dr Nosheen Omar, President ASP. The guests included, Prof Dr Jawad Ahmed, EX-Dean Basic Sciences, Dr Zeeshan Kibriya Deputy Director ORIC and Dr Saleem Gandapur, Registrar, KMU.
The activity commenced with an introductory session, hosted by Dr Habiba Rashid AP Anatomy, IBMS, KMU with rapporteur Dr Shah Khalid (MPhil Anatomy scholar IBMS KMU). The research Furth of our Anatomy department consisting of an overview of all academic and research activities was presented by Dr Najeeb Ullah AP Anatomy IBMS KMU .
The VC KMU Prof Dr Zia Ul Haq, Prof Dr Nosheen Omar and Prof Dr Jawad Ahmed shared their thoughts about the event and congratulated the organizers for following the SOPSs and arranging a virtual event amid SARS Covid-19 Pandemic.
The first plenary session at the National level “what was, is and will be” was hosted by Dr Habiba Rashid with rapporteur Dr Rakhshinda (MPhil Anatomy scholar IBMS KMU). Prof Dr Sarah Khalid from Shalamar Medical and dental College Lahore presented “Online Anatomy Teaching- It’s Myths, Realities and enabling strategies, Dr Aslam Qamar from RMI Peshawar shared his thoughts on Out of box teaching & learning Anatomy and Dr Najma Baseer, AP Anatomy IBMS KMU discussed “Mixed Reality Model for Better Learning and Teaching In Anatomy; A Pilot Study”.
In the Panel discussion next, were renowned anatomists from different parts of the country: Prof Dr. Atiya Mubarak Khalid (Chairperson Punjab Health Care commission), Prof. Dr. Nosheen Omar (President ASP), Professor Masood Ahmed (Principal Fazaia Ruth Pfau), Professor Dr. Laiq Hussain ASM&DC Lahore, Prof. Dr Samreen Memon, LUMHS and Dr. Zilli Huma, Head of Anatomy department. IBMS, KMU. Dr Najma Baseer AP Anatomy IBMS, KMU moderated the session based on: “The experiences of online teaching in COVID-19 Pandemic, the future of anatomy teaching learning and research and Expectations in terms of anatomy teaching and sensitization of the participants about the scope of anatomy in Pakistan with changes in accrediting bodies” and Dr Kamran Ameer (PhD Anatomy scholar IBMS KMU) was the rapporteur for the session.
The second plenary session at the international level had speakers from Canada and the United Kingdom. Dr Tahir Ali joined from University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada and deliberated on “Drug repurposing approach for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease”. The next presenter was Dr Samit Chakrabarty from University of Leeds, UK, who shared his work on EMG based characterisation of Interactions between muscles during tasks while the last presenter of plenary 2 was Prof Dr David Maxwell, from University of Glasgow, who spoke on Form and Function of Spinal Commissural Systems”.
The last session of the conference was the scientific session which was hosted by Dr Shabnam Wazir, Lecturer anatomy, IBMS, KMU with rapporteur Dr Ibrahim Khan and Dr Fazi U Rehman (MPhil Anatomy scholars IBMS KMU). The session had 13 presentation with speakers from the length and breadth of Pakistan.
Dr Zilli Huma, as Chief Organiser ASCON’20 presented vote of thanks and announced the scientific session best presenters.
The best presenters were, Dr. Samia Khalid, Bahria University Medical and Dental College who presented her work on “Comparison of Sacral Hiatus Parameters with Incidence of Low Back Pain”. Dr. Iqra Javed from Sahiwal Medical College on “Pattern of Chest X-ray Findings In Covid-19 Patients Admitted In Covid-19 Unit, Sahiwal” and Dr Maria Ilyas from Al-Aleem Medical college, on “Cytotoxic Effects of Energy Drinks on Histological Structure of Ovaries in adult female albino rats”.
The event had a whopping 185 attendance by ASP members, anatomy faculty, and emerging researchers PhD and MPhil Anatomy students of different institutions and medical colleges from all over the country in impressive numbers.
