GetMyUni's Verdict on Baba Farid University

Parvathy Krishnakumar

“Predominantly occupied by students from the state, Baba Farida University is among the top Medical universities in the state with strong academic excellence and affordable programs. Yet, there are a few factors in the university that require improvement.”

Providing a solid foundation in the healthcare education system, Baba Farid University is renowned for its diverse programs, highly qualified faculty and adequate facilities. The academic curriculum at the university is primarily focused on providing quality education for students who belong to the state of Punjab. Therefore, the majority of the student body consists of domicile students. Due to the same reason, there are certain limitations in the availability of housing facilities on the university campus.

As it is one of the most prominent universities in the state, the university has well-qualified faculty members who are dedicated to elevating the quality of education at any point in time. However, the placement opportunities available after graduation at the university are limited, and there are not many internship opportunities provided to the students. Hence, the graduates have less practical learning experience compared to the other medical institutions in the country. 

Besides the lack of good career prospects, the course fee structure at the university is lower than that of the other universities, therefore making it easier for students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to obtain quality education from a reputable university.

Table of Contents

• Highly Regarded Medical Programs
• Renowned Professors in General
• Modern Yet Uneven Infrastructure
• Limited Housing Facilities
• Enriching & Active Campus Life
• Decent Placement Opportunities
• Overall Impression of Baba Farid University

Highly Regarded Medical Programs

While the flagship course at the university is an MBBS degree program, the university also offers various well-established programs in related fields that align with the national standards. The academic curriculum for all programs is regularly updated to ensure students have the relevant information regarding their respective fields of study. While the university provides postgraduate programs, it is primarily known for its undergraduate programs. Some of the highly regarded courses offered by the university are as follows.

• MBBS
• BDS
• B.Pharm
• B.Sc Nursing
• M.D Pathology.

Although the university provides top-notch academics, the Medical field, in general, has seen a decline in the demand for related courses, where only a quarter of seats for several programs are occupied by students. This issue was mainly found in the non-clinical courses, and according to educational experts, this decline is mainly due to the lack of job opportunities.

Nevertheless, BFUHS has introduced new programs that have emerging demand and good potential for research and development.

Although the university offers several options in different medical, nursing, dental and allied health sciences, the quality of education provided varies from one department to another. Additionally, the large number of students increases competitiveness, which can create a stressful environment for the aspirants. 

The admission to the university’s flagship course, MBBS, is purely based on the national-level entrance exam, and the allotment of seats is according to the state-level ranks obtained by the students. Apart from the government quota seats, students also have the option to get seat allotment in the management quota.

Difference in Course Fee Structure

As mentioned above, the seat allotment is done under different quotas, namely government and management, and hence, the course fee structure is also different based on the quota. There is a significant difference in the tuition fees for these quotas. In addition to that, the course fee changes for each year. Therefore, the course fees depend on various factors, such as the quota type, student category and year of study.

The tuition fee for the first-year MBBS program is INR 3,50,000 for the government quota, whereas it is INR 9,00,000 for the management quota. The highest fee is yielded from fourth-year students, which is INR 4,55,000 and INR 11,70,000, respectively. The lowest fee is in the fifth year, which is INR 2,45,000 and INR 6,30,000. 

The course fees for the other two years for government and management quotas range from INR 3,85,000 to INR 4,20,000 and INR 9,90,000 to INR 10,80,000, respectively. The yearly course fees for the BDS program are INR 1,65,000 and INR 2,20,000 for government and management quotas.

The course fee structure is comparatively lower at BFUHS. In addition to the low tuition fees, students also have the option of availing of scholarships, which are provided by the university based on their merit and category.

Attendance Policy

The rules and regulations at the university mandate undergraduate students to maintain a minimum attendance of 75% and postgraduate students to 80%. If the students fail to meet the attendance requirements, they will be subjected to disciplinary actions, such as restriction from appearing for the final examination, semester repetition, delayed graduation, etc.

Renowned Professors in General

The university boasts of renowned professors in the majority of its departments, who are experienced, established and highly knowledgeable in their respective fields. The experience of these professors contributes to building a solid academic foundation for the students. 

Most professors at the university are dedicated to spending their time imparting knowledge to their students by incorporating engaging lectures and interactive sessions. They provide valuable mentorship and support to the students in research opportunities and career development. 

While most professors are dedicated and easily accessible, it can be challenging to approach some professors due to the large group of students and their busy schedules. Apart from that, the professors have vast practical experience, which helps them provide hands-on teaching and enhances the students’ learning experience. However, the senior professors in some departments mainly devise traditional teaching styles, which are less effective than those of modern pedagogical methods. 

As mentioned earlier, the university is mainly filled with students from the state, and the professors use the common language to explain complex concepts, which makes it easy for the students to understand these concepts better. However, the large class sizes limit the professors' ability to provide individual attention to the students. 

Overall, the students are satisfied with the set of faculty members available for each of the departments at the university. Though there are minor differences in the quality among the professors, the academics and pedagogy, in general, a major reasons for the university to be listed among the top universities in the state. 

Modern Yet Uneven Infrastructure

The university has a good infrastructure that includes modern facilities and amenities that cater to the academic needs of the students in the theoretical and practical learning aspects. Yet, the facilities available for some departments are less adequate than those of the others, which creates an uneven distribution of infrastructure among the disciplines. Some parts of the campus, especially the older buildings, require refurbishment and maintenance to keep up with the ever-evolving requirements in the medical field.

The university has well-maintained academic infrastructure, which includes spacious classrooms with audio-visual equipment to enable an interactive learning atmosphere, well-equipped laboratories and other medical facilities. The academic infrastructure also includes advanced technology, such as simulation labs, to enhance the student's practical learning experience. 

There are multiple libraries in the university for each department, which house extensive collections of books, journals, reference materials and other resources for medical and allied science subjects. Students also have access to online databases and other electronic resources, which enable them to be updated with the latest advancements in the Medical field. The libraries have large spaces for the students to read and study peacefully.

Alongside providing adequate facilities for academic purposes, the university also offers various facilities for sports, which include cricket, basketball, and football fields, and a well-equipped gymnasium to ensure students can maintain their physical health in a challenging academic environment.

The university has a canteen that offers different food and beverages at affordable prices. The food is served hygienically, and the seating areas around the library are prime spots for students to hang out.

In general, the university has a decent infrastructure that consists of sufficient facilities and amenities. Even though the older buildings lack proper maintenance, the university is consistently working towards improving the infrastructure through renovation and upgradation. 

Limited Housing Facilities

Although on-campus hostels are available at the university, it is difficult for the students to avail of these facilities due to the high demand and limited capacity. However, staying at the university hostels is convenient for students to reach the campus. Moreover, living with classmates makes it easy for them to interact with their hostelmates easily and be stress-free throughout their academic careers.

Students have varied room options to choose from based on their budget and preferences. Different types of accommodation are available at the hostels, which include shared and single rooms and apartment-style living facilities. Basic amenities such as beds, tables, chairs, electricity and water supply are available at the hostels.

Laundry facilities and recreational areas are provided in some of the newer hostels. However, the maintenance and facilities available at these hostels are different.

Furthermore, students who seek luxurious accommodation may be disappointed as the facilities available at the hostels are basic. Along with that, certain hostels are located further away from the main buildings, which might cause a problem in reaching the classes and accessing the facilities at the university campus.

The safety and security of students at the hostels are assured as security guards are placed at all gates, and the hostel premises are constantly under CCTV surveillance. The hostels also have strict rules and regulations regarding the curfew and visitor policies.

The mess facilities at the hostels serve timely meals hygienically through the clean dining areas. The mess charges are separate from hostel fees, and students can pay the same on a monthly basis.

Similar to the course fees, the hostel fees also vary for government and management quota students. The hostel fees are also dependent on other factors like the hostel and room type, availability of facilities, and location of the hostels.

Typically, the annual hostel fees for single rooms range between INR 15,000 and INR 25,000; for shared rooms, they are INR 10,000 and INR 18,000; and for apartment-style hostels, they are INR 20,000 and INR 30,000.

Apart from the university hostels, students can also find housing facilities in PGs and private hostels available around the campus. The PG rents vary based on the type of rooms and luxuries provided.

Enriching & Active Campus Life

Alongside providing an excellent academic career, BFUHS also offers a vibrant and engaging campus experience with its myriad student clubs, cultural events and extracurricular activities. The student body at the university consists of people from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, which creates active cultural exchange and broadens the students’ perspectives.

As Medical courses are primarily service-based careers, students develop a sense of community and tolerance of different types of people through the campus experience.

Students can pursue their interests and hobbies by getting involved in clubs and communities that cater to numerous activities, such as arts, music, sports and social activities. Not only do these clubs support students in various pursuits, but they also help them imbibe new skills and meet like-minded people. Being part of these clubs elevates students’ overall experience at the university, holistically helping them.

The university regularly conducts various events and celebrations that provide a platform for the students to showcase their talents and diverse traditions and cultures. These cultural fests and events help students relax and take a break from the highly demanding academic curriculum. The university also organises sports competitions and tournaments, which enable students to pursue sports and polish their skills. 

Diversity on Campus

Needless to say, the healthcare field predominantly consists of female professionals. However, the university has seen a more balanced gender ratio in recent years, and it works towards promoting inclusivity within the student body. The university also attracts students from diverse cultures, creating a multicultural environment. Yet, the student body primarily consists of domiciles from the state, hence creating a less diverse environment in terms of region. 

The university provides a conducive environment for students from different socioeconomic backgrounds by offering scholarships and other initiatives to ensure all deserving students receive good quality education irrespective of their background. Despite there being affirmative initiatives, socioeconomic disparities are still prevalent on campus, which the university strives to eradicate from the campus. 

Besides, according to the students’ reviews on online platforms, the crowd at the university is yet to be more open-minded and inclusive, which may be the byproduct of limited awareness. As mentioned earlier, the university is continuously trying to address the unknowing biases and discriminatory behaviour among the students and staff members.

Dress Code

While there is no particular uniform or a strict dress code at the university, students are required to adhere to specific requirements while they are attending classes, clinical rotations and laboratories. Students must wear white lab coats at all times and wear closed-toed shoes, minimal accessories and tied-up hair. 

Although there is no defined dress code, students are expected to wear modest and clean clothes that align with the principles of their profession.

Decent Placement Opportunities

Though the placement rates vary across the programs and disciplines at the university, the general consensus is that it offers decent placement opportunities to students. Based on the previous years’ reports, the overall placement rate at the university is 80%. However, the salary packages may be unsatisfactory to students who aim to acquire high-paying jobs.

The unavailability of proper placement statistics makes it difficult to assess the career prospects at the university. 

Nevertheless, the university collaborates with multiple organisations and hospitals, which helps provide potential internship and job prospects for the students. It also guides students to perform well in the placement drives by preparing them for the interviews. The strong alumni network also contributes to career development programs at the university.

Although the university partners with other hospitals and organisations, most of these are located within close proximity of the university, which may limit the options for students seeking job opportunities in metropolitan areas. 

According to the available data, the highest salary package offered to graduates from the university was INR 10 LPA, the lowest was INR 3.37 LPA, and the average package was INR 5 LPA. Some of the top recruiters of BFUHS are as follows. 

• Tagore Hospital Heart Care Centre
• Idan Hospital
• Dr Reddy’s Laboratories
• Pfizer
• Sagar Hospital
• Zandu Pharmaceuticals Works Limited
• Himalaya Drug Company
• Glenmark Pharmaceuticals
• Patanjali Ayurved Limited
• Dabur.

Overall Impression of Baba Farid University

It can be concluded that Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) is a good institution that offers promising academic and career paths in the healthcare education field. Although some areas require modification and improvement, such as the infrastructure and housing facilities, the university is one of the top Medical institutions in the state.

Some of the significant drawbacks of the university, apart from the areas mentioned above, are the lack of exposure and uneven quality of education across different programs. Aspirants must also note that pursuing education in the healthcare field comes with high pressure and competitiveness. They must consult experts and past students before deciding, as it is a big commitment. 

Nonetheless, some of the pros and cons of being part of BFUHS are enumerated below for reference.

*Source: bfuhsfaridkot Instagram