Karachi: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan has finalized the curriculum for the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy program, integrating necessary professional competencies and emerging domains crucial for modern healthcare occupational therapists.

According to the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, the curriculum was developed in partnership with the Allied Health Professional Council (AHPC) and included a National Curriculum Review Committee (NCRC) meeting. This gathering featured experts from universities offering Occupational Therapy programs, industry representatives, and AHPC members.

Hosted by Ziauddin University in Karachi, the meeting was chaired by Professor Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed, Dean of Allied Health Sciences at the University of Lahore, with Ms. Neelum Zehra, Principal of the College of Occupational Therapy at Ziauddin University, serving as Co-Convenor. Representatives from HEC and AHPC, including Mr. Hakim Ali Talpur and Dr. Ibrar Rafique, participated in reviewing the existing curricula and discussing academic standards and requirements.

The finalized curriculum emphasizes supervised clinical practice and aligns with international practices and guidelines, including those from the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). The AHPC has endorsed the new framework, highlighting its potential to improve the quality and consistency of occupational therapy education in Pakistan.