Syndicate of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU) has approved setting up of a new center on artificial intelligence (AI), robotic surgery and digital healthcare.
The decisions were taken unanimously in a syndicate meeting chaired by SZABMU Vise Chancellor Prof Dr Tanwir Khaliq. Senator Fawzia Arshad, MNA Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Higher Education Commission (HEC) Executive Director Prof Dr Ziaul Haq, Quaid-i-Azam University Acting Vise Chancellor Prof Dr Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, SZABMU Registrar Prof Dr Syed Tanseer Asghar and others attended the meeting.
The syndicate approved the Center for AI, Robotics, Health Intelligence and Policy Innovation (CARHIPI), the first center of excellence at the university dedicated to AI-enabled robotic surgery and digital illness management.
CARHIPI will be focusing on robotic-assisted surgery, AI applications in medicine, digital diagnostics, and precision healthcare. It will also offer opportunities for research, advanced training, and worldwide academic relationships.
The idea was given by Prof. Dr Syed Tanseer Asghar, also a surgeon. It is intended to become an advanced surgical training and medical research center.
The syndicate also gave its concept clearance for setting up an international medical college in Islamabad. The proposed institute will mainly cater to overseas Pakistanis, children of expats, foreign nationals and international students.
Prof Dr Tanwir Khaliq said the effort will help improve SZABMU’s worldwide academic links and promote its development as a regional hub of medical education.
The university also voted to establish a College of Pharmacy. The college will provide Pharm-D and postgraduate research programs.
The syndicate was also told that a number of PhD and specialist programs have been granted in subjects such as surgery, medicine, cardiology, pharmacy, physiology, public health, molecular biology and surgical prosthodontics.
