President Asif Ali Zardari chaired the first meeting of the Governing Body of Federal Ziauddin University, Islamabad, and outlined a clear direction for building the institution as a centre of quality education, research and innovation, particularly in health sciences and emerging technologies.
Chancellor, Dr Asim Hussain introduced members of the Governing Body, after which the Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Ghulam Raza Bhatti, briefed the President on the establishment of the University under the Federal Ziauddin University Act, 2024, and the plan to commence academic activities from Fall 2026.
The President was informed that the new University builds on the legacy of Ziauddin University, which originated in 1986 with a School of Nursing and later evolved into a multidisciplinary institution offering programmes in health sciences, engineering, management, law, media, education and other fields. The Islamabad initiative aims to expand this mission at the federal level with a focus on research quality, employability and social responsibility.
The meeting was also informed about the composition of the Governing Body and the appointments of Prof Dr Ghulam Raza Bhatti as Vice Chancellor and Mr. Awais Ahmed as Registrar in accordance with the Act.
During the briefing, the proposal to establish a campus of Federal Ziauddin University at Karachi was presented. The President was informed that the initiative would proceed in line with statutory requirements and regulatory approvals.
In his remarks, the President said that the University must not become just another institution but should develop as a future-oriented, technology-driven centre of excellence. He directed that academic programmes, faculty recruitment and infrastructure development must meet high national and international standards, with growth matched by quality.
He emphasised the importance of integrating artificial intelligence into medical education, digital health systems, telemedicine and data-driven research. He also encouraged interdisciplinary research in areas such as biotechnology, precision medicine and medical robotics.
The President stressed that transparent financial systems and data-driven decision-making should be embedded from the outset. He underscored the responsibility of the Governing Body to safeguard the vision and credibility of the University in the years ahead.
President directs improvement in Uzbek ties in diverse sectors
On the directions of President Asif Ali Zardari, following his meeting with the Ambassador of Uzbekistan, a meeting was convened at Aiwan-e-Sadr to deliberate on practical avenues of bilateral cooperation in healthcare, medical education and recognition of medical institutions and qualifications in both countries.
The meeting was chaired by Dr Asim Hussain, Personal Physician to the President.
The Uzbek side, joining virtually, was represented by Mr Babayev Alisher, First Deputy Minister of Health; Mr Alizhanov Abror; Prof Yusupalieva Gulnora; and Prof Gulyamov Surat.
The meeting was informed that during the recent state visit to Pakistan by the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a broad set of 28 memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements were exchanged between Pakistan and Uzbekistan across diverse sectors including health, education and pharmaceuticals, reaffirming both countries’ intent to strengthen bilateral collaboration.
Pakistan’s side included Secretary to the President, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission, the President of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination.
The meeting noted that more than 1,200 Pakistani students are currently studying in Uzbekistan in various disciplines, and that Uzbekistan has registered over 180 types of Pakistani pharmaceutical products, reflecting expanding people-to-people and commercial links.
Dr Asim Hussain emphasised the potential to further expand cooperation in medical education, scientific research and the practical training of doctors.