​Innovation and Incubation


About the group

​With the concept of ideation and innovation picking up pace within the university and hospital, the group realized that there is also potential in terms of research in these domains. We started off with a few experiential pieces but are now looking to delve into needs assessment, quantitative and qualitative analyses of innovations and process changes as well as innovation/product trials.

Aims and Objectives

  • ​To demonstrate through a collaborative programmatic approach the immense research potential for biomedical and healthcare innovation and incubation at a teaching hospital of a Low Middle Income Country. This shall be done through creation of a university-wide interest / research group carrying out at least 2 annual meetings/events focused on innovation (such as hackathons, innovation days, etc.)   
  • To demonstrate through individual projects in which innovations (apps, devices, processes, or else) are generated, the real-life potential to impact patient outcomes in the relevant diseases being studied.    

Research Themes

  • ​Innovation
  • Process Improvement
  • Product/Prototype trials

Membership

​Asad I. Mian
Associate Professor, Director of Research and Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College, AKU; Director, Critical Creative Innovative Thinking (CCIT)
Group Lead
Clinical expert and responsible for patient recruitment; experience and expertise in innovation/incubation programmatic & research development; trained in research methodology/study design; operational support

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​Saleem Sayani
Director AKDN eHRC; CHS, AKU
Experience/expertise in innovation/incubation programmatic & research development; trained in research methodology/study design; operational support; technology expert (including telemedicine)
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​Junaid A. Razzak
Professor and Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Global Emergency Care Innovation and Training; Director, Tele-Emergency Medicine Programme
Emergency care innovation; telemedicine; urban health; research methods/surveillance
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​Huba Atiq
Senior Consultant, ChildLife Foundation
Clinical expert and responsible for patient recruitment
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​Mohammad Taha Anver
Manager Academic Computing, IT, AKU
Experience in integrating technologies for healthcare and education		​
​Walid Farooqi
Activity Coordinator, Critical Creative Innovative Thinking (CCIT), AKU
Clinical expert and responsible for patient recruitment; experience/expertise in innovation/incubation programmatic & research development
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​Faysal Subhani
Resident, Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College, AKU
Clinical expert and responsible for patient recruitment		​

Publications

  • ​Farooqi W, Subhani F, Mian A. Paediatric innovation in Pakistan: Our experience and call to action. Arch Dis Child, 102(10):963-967, 2017.
  • Madhani S, Farooqi W, Mian A. Stimulating Innovation through the Hackathon Concept in Paediatrics: Our Experience at the Aga Khan University. Arch Dis Child, 102(10):994, 2017.

Grants

  • ​CCIT’s Budget for FY 2018 for incubation. Office of the Provost, AKU. Status: Ongoing.
  • CCIT’s Budget for FY2017 for several activities; approved by the Executive Committee of AKU. Status: Completed 12/2017.
  • CCIT’s 2nd Medical Hackathon v2.0. CEO’s Office Sponsored Biomedical Innovation Drive. Primary objective: design of the next generation children’s hospital @ AKU. Status: completed 02/2017.
  • CCIT’s 1st Medical Hackathon v1.0. AKU Dean’s Office & CEO’s Office Sponsored Biomedical Innovation Drive. Status: completed 08/2016.
  • Can vulnerable communities innovate? Evaluating a community-led hackathon in a flood prone area to improve emergency/acute healthcare system. Submitted to Humanitarian Innovation Fund.  
  • Development of a mobile application to identify and manage respiratory distress in children presenting to the ED of an LMIC. Submitted to the Alliance for a Healthier World Challenge Planning Grant.  

Projects / Studies

  • ​Healthcare hackathons: fostering medical education and innovation in a developing country – a case study

Engagement and Involvement: Public and private

  • ​ChildLife Foundation
  • AKDN/eHRC
  • Johns Hopkins University

Contact

Asad I. Mian
Group Lead​
asad.mian@aku.edu