UHS, Astana University seal pact ahead of Kazakh president’s visit

2026-02-02 - 12:56

In a move reflecting deepening academic and diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, the University of Health Sciences (UHS) Lahore and Astana Medical University on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding to promote joint research, faculty exchange and professional training in healthcare disciplines. The agreement was signed at the Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, in the presence of Mr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, and H.E. Sayasat Nurbek, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Science and Higher Education. The MoU was signed on behalf of UHS by Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Nadia Naseem, while A.A. Turmukhambetova, Chairman of the Board and Rector of Astana Medical University, represented the Kazakh side. Astana Medical University’s Vice Rector Ayan Myssayev was also present. The agreement was concluded on the eve of the official visit of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan from Feb 3 to 4 with a high-level delegation. During his visit, he is expected to meet his Pakistani counterpart, hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and address the Pakistan-Kazakhstan Business Forum. Under the five-year MoU, the two universities will cooperate in joint scientific research, development of innovative healthcare technologies, exchange of faculty and students, and organisation of conferences, seminars and training programmes. The agreement also provides for collaborative publications, professional development of healthcare personnel and sharing of academic resources. Officials said the partnership would help strengthen research capacity in medicine, pharmacy and nursing, while opening new opportunities for students and researchers in both countries. The MoU does not carry immediate financial or legal obligations and will be implemented through separate project-based agreements. It is renewable automatically and includes provisions for confidentiality and amicable resolution of disputes. UHS VC, Prof. Ahsan Waheed Rathore, see the accord as part of wider efforts to expand educational and scientific cooperation between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, in parallel with growing political and economic engagement between the two countries. ‘White coat symbolises dignity, commitment to humanity’