OIC-COMSTECH, Ningbo University Launch International Course on Biomedical AI

Inauguration ceremony’s online and offline participants. [Photo provided to Gwadar Pro] 

ISLAMABAD: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (OIC-COMSTECH) and Ningbo University, China, jointly launched an international certificate course on Applied Biomedical Artificial Intelligence in Islamabad.

According to an official statement issued on Thursday, the 19-day hybrid-format course, held at the COMSTECH Secretariat, has drawn participation from over 1,000 young scientists, researchers, and professionals across 30 countries. The program aims to build practical AI skills for biomedical research, with a focus on participants from low- and middle-income OIC member states.

“This initiative marks a milestone in international scientific collaboration,” said Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Chaudhary, Coordinator General of COMSTECH, in his opening remarks. “AI is transforming biomedical research and healthcare—from disease diagnosis and drug discovery to predictive analytics and personalized medicine.”

Participants must attend at least 80 percent of the sessions to receive certification, according to course guidelines.

Prominent Chinese scientists delivered keynote addresses, underscoring the growing partnership between China and the OIC in science and technology.

“Global cooperation is critical to advancing biomedical progress,” said Prof. Dr. Liu Xinmin, Chief Scientist at the Institute of Drug Discovery, Ningbo University.

Joining virtually as guest of honour, Academician Prof. Dr. Zhao Yufen, Director at the Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, emphasized the need to develop AI-driven talent. “Investing in future talent is essential for innovation in global health,” she said.

Prof. Dr. Yuzong Chen, Deputy Director of the State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, provided an overview of the course and delivered the first technical lecture. His talk focused on AI applications in chemical genomics and drug development.

The session concluded with a live Q&A, launching what organizers described as a “high-impact academic initiative” to strengthen long-term scientific cooperation between China and the Islamic world.