Shillong, July 11: The Director of the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) Dr D.M. Thapa has directed the controller of examinations to take all measures to conduct the practical examination of DM Cardiology before July 31.

In a statement issued on Thursday, he also requested the faculty of Cardiology to come forward to ensure smooth conduct of the DM Cardiology exams.

The statement from the Director came after reports alleging that DM Cardiology students had gone for the examinations but they were shocked to find that the test has been cancelled.

The administration of the Institute termed the allegation as irresponsible as I/c Dean Academics vide notification dated July 9, has informed all concerns that the DM (Cardiology) Practical Examination 2019 scheduled on July 10 and 11 was deferred till further orders.

“So if the candidates were informed on 9.7.2019 regarding postponement of the Practical exams, and they still went for Practicals on 10.07.2019 and sat in front of Directors office the whole day, raises questions?” it said.

It said every professional examinations including MBBS, MD, MS, DM has two parts, Theory part conducted by the Examination Cell of the Institute, and Practical part, where in two internal examiners from the Department concerned and two external examiners from a panel of experts from other Institutions/Medical Colleges are called.

In the present case of DM Examinations, Theory papers are already conducted by the Institute from June 24 to July 1.

The administration also informed that the Controller Examination NEIGRIHMS had written a letter to HoD Cardiology for intimating the names of two internal examiners by June 26, for upcoming Practical Examinations.

In the meantime, HOD Cardiology in a letter dated June 25, to the Director NEIGRIHMS, hinted for not participating in the Practical Examinations of the DM students.

In response to this, the Director NEIGRIHMS in his letter on June 26 had requested HoD Cardiology to cooperate for smooth conduction of the DM Cardiology Practical examinations in the interest of the students.

The director further advised HoD cardiology to co-ordinate with Dean and Controller examinations in this regard.

Two external examiners as per procedure were contacted, who first accepted the invitation for conducting the practical examination of the DM Cardiology, but at the last moment declined to come citing personal reasons. I/C Dean therefore issued an examination deferment notification on July 9, it said.

NEIGRIHMS is conducting various examinations every year including MBBS, MD, MS, and MSc Nursing smoothly, but this kind of situation is arising from one particular department only as the Examination Cell is dependent on internal examiners of the Departments and external examiners of the same Specialty.

Meanwhile, the director said, “All the students of this institute are like my sons and daughters, and I will be the happiest person to see my students pass with flying colours and bring laurels to the Institute.”