22/08/2026
The Department of Pharmacy, Hazara University Mansehra and the Department of Pharmacy, Riphah University (Gulberg Green Campus for Women, Islamabad) convened a joint meeting to establish a collaborative framework aimed at enhancing education, research, and professional development. Attendees agreed on priority activities including student and faculty exchanges, short-term clinical and laboratory rotations, joint workshops and capacity-building programs, and co-supervision of postgraduate research to strengthen experiential learning and academic mentorship across both institutions.
Prof. Dr. Ikramullah Khan (Vice Chancellor, Hazara University Mansehra) chaired the session, Mr. Asad Ullah Khan (Executive Director IIMCT) Dr. Muhammad Akhlaq (Chairperson, Department of Pharmacy, Hazara University), Dr. Asgher Khan (Dean, FRAHS), Dr. Umair Ilyas (Director, Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences), Dr. Sarwat Jamila (Campus Director, Gulberg Green Campus for Women, Riphah University), Dr. Huma Riaz (Principal, Faculty of Rehabilitation and Allied Health Sciences) and Dr. Sidra Kaleem (HOD, Pharmaceutics) attended the session.
To operationalize collaboration, participants proposed forming a Joint Collaboration Committee to draft a Memorandum of Understanding defining exchange modalities, credit recognition, financial responsibilities, and publication ethics. Practical steps include initiating low-barrier virtual seminars and short pilot rotations within the first six months, sharing specialized laboratory access where feasible, and developing themed research clusters (pharmaceutics, clinical pharmacy, and pharmaceutical analysis) to pursue joint grant applications and co-authored publications.
Quality assurance and sustainability were emphasized through measurable indicators: number of exchanges, joint publications, grants awarded, workshops delivered, and participant feedback and an annual winter “summary campus” event to review progress and refine plans. Risk mitigation (virtual alternatives for travel constraints, staggered scheduling, and seed funding for pilots) and clear governance with a rotational coordination secretariat were recommended to ensure early wins and long-term institutional benefit for students and faculty.