Empowering Scientific Capacities Across OIC Member States through Hands-On Laboratory Training_
Islamabad : The OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), in collaboration with the Hunan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), has officially launched the Second Edition of the Joint Technicians Training Program, reaffirming a strong commitment to empowering scientific and technical talent across the Islamic world and beyond.
This initiative brings together 15 selected participants from diverse OIC member states for an intensive two-week training focused on advanced scientific instrumentation, research methodologies, and technical skill development in medical sciences, analytical chemistry, and biotechnology.
The inaugural ceremony, held at HUCM in Changsha, was attended by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General, OIC-COMSTECH; Prof. Dr. Wei Wang, Dean of the School of Pharmacy at HUCM and Yangtze River Scholars Distinguished Professor; Dr. Aiguo Dai, CPC Committee Secretary at HUCM; along with senior faculty members and program coordinators.
Prof. Dr. Iqbal Choudhary warmly welcomed the participants from Cameroon, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uganda, Kazakhstan, Sudan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Turkiye, highlighting their selection as a testament to COMSTECH’s commitment to advancing scientific excellence across OIC member states, “You are ambassadors of your nations and of COMSTECH’s vision,” Dr. Choudhary stated. “We count on your curiosity, engagement, and leadership to take this experience forward and bring tangible benefits to your communities, health systems, and institutions.”
He emphasized that the program is not just a technical training initiative but a powerful platform for capacity building, technology transfer, and intercultural exchange. Participants will benefit from HUCM’s renowned expertise in natural product chemistry, analytical instrumentation, and integrative healthcare, with the goal of adapting these innovations to improve health systems in their home countries.
Dr. Choudhary also expressed sincere appreciation to Prof. Dr. Wei Wang for his visionary leadership and tireless support, and acknowledged Dr. Aiguo Dai and the HUCM faculty for their dedication to organizing and delivering this impactful training.
Dr. Aiguo Dai congratulated all participants on the successful opening of the training program and highlighted HUCM’s status as one of China’s earliest institutions of traditional Chinese medicine to welcome international students. With students from 52 countries and regions and established TCM centres worldwide, HUCM is at the forefront of promoting traditional Chinese medicine on the global stage. He emphasized that the university is not only a symbol of Hunan but also an academic bridge to the world, actively integrating talent development, industry engagement, and international collaboration.
Prof. Dr. Wei Wang warmly welcomed the international guests, participants, and dignitaries, stressing that the training aligns with China’s “Belt and Road” initiative and fosters meaningful global cooperation in traditional medicine. He praised the diverse group of scholars from across the Islamic world and underscored the shared mission of advancing research in natural products and traditional medicine innovation.
During the program, participants are receiving hands-on training in advanced laboratory techniques, including LC-MS, GC-MS, NMR, FTIR, and other state-of-the-art technologies. The immersive experience is designed to enhance the research and diagnostic capabilities of institutions in their home countries by equipping technicians with practical expertise in modern scientific methods.
The second edition of this joint program exemplifies the shared vision of COMSTECH and HUCM to foster inclusive, impactful, and sustainable development through scientific collaboration, technical training, and knowledge exchange.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
