As part of the PUAN National Internship Program 2025, Ayesha Liaqat (English Works 2023, Global UGRAD 2024) completed a three-month internship at Shalamar Medical and Dental College, Lahore (Central Punjab Chapter). For her, the experience was not only a professional milestone but also a deeply personal journey of growth, mentorship, and belonging.
During the internship, Ayesha gained hands-on exposure to the professional world of research and clinical practice. She learned to use SPSS, explored advanced research tools, attended scientific writing workshops, and collaborated with her mentor on two research papers examining the intersection of bioethics and physiotherapy. Her research addressed ethical challenges in physiotherapy OPDs and sports physiotherapy, blending theoretical insight with practical observation. Alongside this, she also undertook clinical observership in the Physiotherapy Department, which allowed her to reconnect with patients and apply her earlier clinical rotation experience in a more reflective way.
A distinctive aspect of her internship was active involvement in departmental activities. She contributed to journal club meetings, exchanging ideas with professionals on unconventional and emerging topics, and joined ethics grand rounds at Shalamar Hospital, where critical cases involving patient autonomy and end-of-life decisions were discussed. She also participated in the Diploma in Healthcare Ethics and Professionalism contact session, where she not only learned from impactful research presentations but also moderated and managed sessions, an opportunity that sharpened her leadership and communication skills.
Beyond academic and professional development, Ayesha’s internship became a story of mentorship and community. Her mentor, Ms. Amna Farooq (Global UGRAD 2018), played a transformative role by creating a safe space for learning, correcting her mistakes with patience, and ensuring she was recognized equally. With the support of Dr. Sarosh, Ms. Saadia, Dr. Ameer Hamza, and Ms. Huda, Ayesha was welcomed not just as an intern but as a valued member of the department. This sense of trust and belonging transformed the experience into something far greater than professional training.
For Ayesha, the PUAN internship was a defining chapter, one that enriched her academic foundation, expanded her professional skills, and offered her a sense of community that she describes as a “second home.” It is an experience she carries forward with gratitude, renewed confidence, and a commitment to contribute meaningfully to the fields of physiotherapy and bioethics.
