KARACHI- Aga Khan University (AKU), Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs of North America (OPEN) and a Pakistani multinational pharmaceutical company signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support startups by young entrepreneurs, that work to solve challenges faced by current healthcare and medical education system.
OPEN is the largest organization of Pakistani entrepreneurs in North America, with having its chapters in Lo ndon as well Pakistan. This organization is committed to support startups at university levels in Pakistan.
Mr. Firoz Rasul, President of Aga Khan University (AKU) and Dr. Zakiuddin Ahmed, President of OPEN (Karachi Chapter), who is also the Director of the Digital Health and Strategic Projects, PharmEvo, agreed to the sign the memorandum.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, AKU President Mr. Firoz Rasul stated that the objective behind this partnership was to support the startups so that new products based on technology and innovation could be introduced and promoted in the field of healthcare and medical education.
Mr. Firoz also expressed his belief that the universities play an important role in the promotion of science and technology in order to reduce the sufferings of the ailing human community.
Dr. Zakiuddin Ahmed was excited to become a part of this initiative to enhance the healthcare and medical education sector, and hoped that by materializing such innovations, it would bring about positive changes in Pakistan.
He praised the talent and drive in Pakistani students, who if given the resources, could revolutionize the healthcare system in Pakistan.
Dr. Ahmed also informed that their organization, OPEN, was already running a virtual hospital where doctors and patients were connected through technology, irrespective of the distance between them. Webinars to promote healthcare regimes in Pakistan are regularly conducted through this organization.
Dr. Asad Mian, Director, Critical Creative Innovative Thinking (CCIT) forum at AKU, stated that this collaboration between AKU and OPEN, as well as the pharma industry was aimed at capacity building of young AKU students, and also for seeking serious partnerships for university-based startups.
Furthermore, he added that their forum CCIT was busy in promoting the use of technology, for which they were having partnerships with other organizations, inviting foreign speakers and displayed hope that this new collaboration would result in innovative solutions in the area of healthcare for Pakistan.
During the program, four groups presented their projects and digital applications, based on promotion of research, transforming workplace based teaching, improving student relations and helping them organize their studies.