RMU signs MoUs for research and development

Rawalpindi : The administration of Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU) signed three memorandums of understanding with three different institutions including two universities here at the old campus of Rawalpindi Medical College on Tuesday in the area of research and development particularly involving Computer Vision, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Bio-medical Image Processing.

One of the MoUs was signed between The University of Lahore (UoL), Islamabad campus and RMU and Department of Ophthalmology at Holy Family Hospital for cooperation in research and development in Medical and Artificial Intelligence field. The purpose of this MoU is to progress the collaborative research concepts and objectives of the participants and enable each of the participants to pursue the research activities and tasks though the document is purely for research and development purpose and collaboration/Data/Research is for non-commercial use.

RMU Vice Chancellor Professor Muhammad Umar signed the MoU with Brig (r) Muhammad Ajaib, Trustee and Executive Director of the UoL in a meeting on Tuesday. Head of Ophthalmology Department at Rawalpindi Medical University and Allied Hospitals Professor Fuad Ahmad Khan Niazi and other faculty members of RMU were also present on the signing ceremony of the three memos.

The second MoU, a document of understanding was signed between Medical Imaging and Diagnostics Lab (MID-Lab), a research lab under the National Center of Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) funded by Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan established at COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) and RMU.

The MoU was signed to develop cooperation and collaboration between Medical Imaging and Diagnostics Lab, NCAI-CUI and Rawalpindi Medical University to ensure their commitment to collaborate in organizing training and sharing of information resources and to promote development of R&D culture in Pakistan. Professor Dr. Raheel Qamar, Rector CUI signed the document with Professor Umar.

The third MoU was signed between Management Technology and Alternative Resources Centre, a registered organisation in Islamabad, Pakistan and Ontario, Canada and RMU and Department of Ophthalmology through the respective heads of the three entities.

Dr. Hamid Rafiq Khattak, Chief Executive and Country Head MANTECH&ARC signed the MoU with the VC RMU Professor Umar.

The purpose of this MOU is to advance the collaborative, integrated and interdisciplinary studies and researches related to Medical Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Bio-medical Image Processing and Behavioural/Human Sciences, and to enable the participants to pursue the research and development activities and tasks accordingly, said Professor Fuad Niazi while talking to ‘The News’ after the signing ceremony of MoU.

He said the MoU envisages and covers areas of mutual cooperation including but not limited to research and development of projects, products and services related to the fields of Medical and Artificial Intelligence and Behavioural and Human Sciences.

As per this MoU, the researchers, teachers, trainers and students/alumnae identified and selected by both entities from and their affiliated bodies and institutes will be facilitated as part of this research and development collaboration.

It is important that with the proper use of Computer Vision, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Bio-medical Image Processing, the problem of shortage of specialists can be overcome and specialist cover can be provided to the population in remote areas with the help of modern technology.

After the signing of the three memos, the institutions would be able to publish and represent collaborative researches in related journals, conferences and seminars and carry out and undertake necessary actions, studies and interventions as required for successful R&D activities.