Prof. Dr. Afeef Umar Zia represents Margalla Institute of Health Sciences at international medical research symposium in Bangladesh
ISLAMABAD: Prof. Dr. Afeef Umar Zia, Head of the Department of Orthodontics, represented Margalla Institute of Health Sciences (MIHS) at the Institutional Symposium on Medical Research being held in Chattogram, Bangladesh, from December 17 to 19, 2025, reinforcing Pakistan’s growing academic footprint in international dental and medical education forums.
The high-level symposium, organized under the theme “Research and medical education: Inspiring innovation, ensuring accreditation,” brought together leading academicians, researchers, and institutional heads from across the region to discuss future-ready medical education models, research quality, and global collaboration frameworks.
During the symposium, Prof. Dr. Afeef Umar Zia delivered two expert lectures focusing on critical and evolving areas of orthodontic and interdisciplinary care. His presentations covered the multi-disciplinary management of facial deformity and the scope of orthodontics in general dental practice, highlighting evidence-based treatment planning, collaborative clinical approaches, and the expanding role of orthodontics in comprehensive patient care.
A key milestone of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on behalf of MIHS, FJIDC, and IMDC, formalizing academic collaboration between institutions of Pakistan and Bangladesh. The agreement aims to promote student and faculty exchange programs, capacity building initiatives, and joint research collaborations, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening regional academic excellence and research-driven healthcare education.
On the second and third day of the symposium, Prof. Dr. Afeef Umar Zia delivered a keynote address on international collaborations, with a special focus on benchmarking dental and medical institutions through research. His keynote emphasized the importance of structured research ecosystems, international partnerships, and accreditation-aligned academic standards in enhancing institutional credibility and global ranking.
In addition to his academic contributions, he also chaired a session on future generation research, engaging young researchers and postgraduate scholars, and served as a judge for the poster competition, evaluating innovative research ideas presented by emerging scientists.
Speaking through his academic engagements, Prof. Dr. Afeef Umar Zia underlined that sustainable progress in dental and medical education depends on cross-border knowledge sharing, research integrity, and globally aligned training standards. His representation of MIHS at the symposium reaffirmed the institute’s vision to remain actively engaged in international academic networks and contribute meaningfully to global health education discourse.
The participation of MIHS in this prestigious international symposium further strengthens Pakistan’s presence in regional academic platforms and reflects the institution’s commitment to excellence in research, education, and international collaboration.
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