WNAM REPORT: The Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) and its Centre of Excellence, the COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Pakistan, held a Conference on ‘Modern Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): From Core Principles to AI-Driven Applications’. Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), the event explored the transformative potential of MRI — a technology that has redefined diagnostics and continues to evolve with groundbreaking innovations in medical domain.
Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, Executive Director COMSATS, in his opening remarks underlined that MRI technology has been a cornerstone of modern healthcare. Yet as with many advanced technologies, its benefits are not equally accessible. He highlighted that MRI facilities are primarily concentrated in urban centers, while rural areas face significant challenges due to high costs, limited infrastructure, and a shortage of trained professionals. Being a proponent of technology driven services and solutions for the benefit of common people, Amb. Zakaria stated that COMSATS remains committed to addressing such challenges through knowledge exchange, capacity-building, and partnerships to promote affordable and sustainable solutions for its Member States. He informed that COMSATS aims to conduct specialized training workshops and conferences on cutting edge technologies, including EV, nanotech, AI, ICTs, IOT, Genomic sequencing, precision medicine, smart and precision agriculture, among other areas.
Prof. Dr. Sajid Qamar, Rector CUI, highlighted that MRI has evolved to become one of the most powerful tools in medical diagnostics. He accentuated the positive impact of AI on MRI’s precision, speed, clarity and personalization of treatment, calling on participants to embrace interdisciplinary collaboration to shape the future of healthcare. Prof. Qamar endorsed Amb. Zakaria’s vision of organizing capacity building activities in the Member States, and offered CUI’s support for the same.
The specific topics covered during the Conference included: Fundamentals of MRI, related AI-Driven Innovations, Advanced Acceleration Methods, Role of High Performance Computing (HPC) and Digital Design Framework in accelerating Image Reconstruction, and Emerging Applications of MRI, including Advanced Neuroimaging and Brain Health.
The Conference attracted 150 online as well as in-person participants from Health Ministries, research institutions, academia, hospitals and laboratories, from COMSATS’ Member States and other countries, including Australia, Egypt, Gambia, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkiye, UAE, USA and Zimbabwe. The event program featured technical talks by 9 Experts from institutions in Pakistan, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK, who shared their expertise and knowledge related to the theme, followed by an interactive session that called for the researchers and practitioners to come together for advancing MRI technologies in order to benefit the masses.
