Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal visited the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) during his visit to the United States to explore opportunities for collaboration in medical education, research and advanced healthcare.
During the visit, the minister held meetings with the university’s Provost, Vice Provost and Dean of the medical faculty to discuss potential partnerships between UIC, Pakistan’s proposed Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Centre (JMCRC), and the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Centre (PKLI).
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in medical education, scientific research, innovation, advanced surgical training and institutional partnerships.
Sharing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision for the Jinnah Medical Complex, Ahsan Iqbal said the government aims to develop a world-class healthcare institution supported by strong international academic and clinical collaborations.
He added that such partnerships would help position the facility among the region’s leading centres for medical education and research.
Highlighting PKLI’s progress in adopting advanced robotic surgery, the minister expressed Pakistan’s interest in benefiting from UIC’s expertise in robotic surgery, medical research and healthcare innovation. He also connected PKLI President Prof Dr Saeed Akhtar virtually with the university’s leadership to initiate discussions on future cooperation.
The two sides also discussed expanding collaboration under the US-Pak Knowledge Corridor by incorporating medical sciences into the programme. Areas of potential cooperation include faculty and student exchanges, scholarships, joint research projects and specialised medical training.
Ahsan Iqbal noted that Pakistan seeks to learn from internationally recognised models of academic medicine and integrated healthcare systems to support the development of its emerging medical institutions.
He also recalled Pakistan’s role in expanding the Pakistan-USEFP Fulbright Scholarship Programme, describing it as a reflection of the country’s long-standing commitment to investing in human capital and international academic cooperation.
The University of Illinois Chicago welcomed the discussions and expressed interest in continuing engagement with Pakistani institutions.
During the meeting, the university also presented its Brazilian model of integrated healthcare and medical education, which the minister said could serve as a useful framework for the development of the Prime Minister’s proposed Jinnah Medical Complex.-ERMD
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