Pakistan’s HSA named regional centre of excellence in global public health

Islamabad:In a landmark achievement for Pakistan’s health education sector, the Health Services Academy (HSA) in Islamabad has been officially selected as one of the five Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in Global Public Health Postgraduate Education in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) region.

This recognition, announced by the Human Resources for Health Sub-Working Group (HRH SWG) of CAREC, positions HSA among a select group of institutions making significant contributions to public health education and policy in Asia. Prof. Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan, Vice Chancellor of HSA, confirmed the development and called it “a proud moment for Pakistan and a testament to the hard work of our faculty and partners over the years.”

He maintained that this recognition will not only enhance the Academy’s global footprint but also strengthen Pakistan’s role in shaping the future of public health in the region. HSA has been acknowledged for its Master in Public Health program by the HRH-SWG of CAREC and will soon be launching a Master in Global Health degree starting June 2025, further aligning with international education standards and emerging health challenges.

The CAREC region includes member countries such as Pakistan, China, Georgia, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, working together under the CAREC Program — a partnership supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to promote economic cooperation and development. Within this collaborative framework, five universities have been selected as Centres of Excellence. Alongside HSA, the selected institutions include Ilia State University in Georgia, Osh State University in Kyrgyzstan, the International University of Westminster in Tashkent (Uzbekistan), and the School of Global Health co-sponsored by Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and China CDC in China.

This selection highlights the growing recognition of regional expertise and the importance of enhancing human resources for health in the CAREC bloc. As these institutions collaborate and share best practices, the initiative aims to elevate standards in public health education and address shared health challenges more effectively. The announcement comes following the third Sub-Working Group Meeting on Human Resources for Health, where these institutions presented their programs and discuss future collaboration pathways.