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LUMHS Vice Chancellor Explores Collaborative Research Opportunities During Visit to AKU's Mother & Child Health Research & Training Centre, Matiari​​

 

A delegation from Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, visited the Matiari Research and Training Centre (MRTC), Aga Khan University on 11-04-2025 ​to explore its research facilities and ongoing projects, as well as to discuss potential collaborations between the two institutions. The LUMHS delegation was led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Ikram Din Ujjan, and included Prof. Dr. Binafsha Manzoor Syed (Director Medical Research Center), Prof. Dr. Ali Muhammad Waryah (Incharge, Molecular Biology & Genetics Laboratory), Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Siddiqui (Dean, Faculty of Community Medicine & Public Health Sciences), Dr. Muhammad Kashif Shaikh (Associate Professor, Department of Cardiology), Dr. Ambreen Aziz Sahito (Associate Professor, Community Medicine), Dr. Rafaina Shah (Assistant Professor, Community Medicine), and Dr. Kanwal Naz (Lecturer, Community Medicine). They were welcomed at AKU-MRTC by Dr. Sheraz Ahmed (Senior Manager Research) and Dr. Fayaz Umrani​ (Manager Research). Prof. Asad Ali, Chair of the Department of Community Health Sciences and Professor of Pediatrics & Community Health Sciences at AKU, joined the meeting via video call. The primary objective of the visit was to gain insight into AKU-MRTC's research capabilities and to initiate discussions regarding future collaborative endeavors between LUMHS and AKU.​

Key Observations and Discussions:

The Vice Chancellor of LUMHS, Prof. Ikram Din Ujjan, along with a delegation of faculty members, visited the Matiari Research and Training Centre of the Aga Khan University. They were warmly welcomed by Dr. Sheraz Ahmed, Dr. Fayaz Umrani and Muhammed Khan Jamali. 

The visit commenced with a tour of the MRTC's key facilities, including the field research laboratory, providing insights into their on-site research capabilities. The delegation also visited the data management unit, highlighting the center's capacity for robust data handling and analysis. The clinical trial unit, equipped with a doppler ultrasound facility, showcased their infrastructure for conducting advanced clinical research. Finally, a visit to the pharmacy area provided an overview of their pharmaceutical research support.

Following the tour, Dr. Sheraz Ahmed delivered a concise presentation outlining the clinical trials and other ongoing research projects currently being undertaken at MRTC. He also highlighted significant past completed projects, demonstrating the center's research achievements and impact.

Muhammad Khan Jamali detailed a Wellcome Trust-funded project by Institute for Global Health and Development(IGHD), AKU. The project investigates climate change's impact, specifically on pregnant women. Research aims to understand and mitigate adverse health effects on this vulnerable group.

Prof. Asad Ali joined the meeting via video call and emphasized the importance and potential benefits of collaboration between the two institutions, suggesting avenues for joint research endeavors.

Prof. Muhammad Ilyas Siddiqui further elaborated on this point, specifically discussing the need for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between LUMHS and AKU. He highlighted potential areas of collaboration, including joint research funding projects to leverage the expertise and resources of both universities. Additionally, he proposed the exchange of Master's students for their thesis projects, offering students from both institutions valuable research opportunities and cross-institutional learning experiences.

Outcomes and Potential Next Steps:

The visit provided a valuable opportunity for the LUMHS delegation to gain firsthand knowledge of the research infrastructure and activities at MRTC-AKU. The discussions held were productive and highlighted a mutual interest in fostering collaboration between the two institutions.

Potential next steps include:

  • Formalizing discussions regarding the development and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between LUMHS and AKU.

  • Exploring specific areas of joint research interest and identifying potential collaborative projects.

  • Developing a framework for the exchange of Master's students for thesis projects.

  • Further discussions on potential joint applications for research funding.​