The International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) at the University of Karachi has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Aga Khan University Hospital and Medical College Foundation.
The MoU aims to establish collaboration in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), focusing on applications in healthcare and beyond.
The agreement was signed by Prof. Dr. Farzana Shaheen, Director of ICCBS, University of Karachi, and Prof. Dr. Syed Ather Enam, Professor of Neurosurgery and Director of the Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at the Aga Khan University Hospital, during a meeting held at the Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, University of Karachi, on Thursday. Other attendees included Prof. Dr. Shabana Simjee, Dr. Reaz Uddin, and Sayed Shehzad Iqbal Naqvi.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Dr. Farzana Shaheen applauded the agreement, describing it as a significant milestone between two of the country’s largest science institutions. She highlighted efforts of the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Health Sciences, part of the Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research at the University of Karachi in fostering entrepreneurship in AI research. The Center hosts startups working on AI applications in health sciences and is actively working to commercialize AI tools through its AI-based incubation center, she added.
She emphasized that the ICCBS is a leading center of excellence in chemical, biological, and biomedical sciences, providing high-quality education and research opportunities to scholars worldwide. She noted that the MoU aims not only to foster collaboration but also to strengthen ties between the two institutions, benefiting students and researchers alike.
Prof. Dr. Ather Enam praised the academic and research facilities at ICCBS. He highlighted the mission of the Aga Khan University Hospital, which is to improve the quality of life in the developing world and beyond through world-class teaching, research, and healthcare delivery.
The two institutions have agreed to collaborate on joint research programs, co-author scholarly publications, share health and clinical research data, and develop technology-based healthcare solutions. The MOU also includes provisions for exchanging scholars, faculty members, and postdoctoral fellows. Subsequent discussions will explore further collaborative programs.
