**OIC-COMSTECH and Ningbo University Launch International Certificate Course on Applied Biomedical Artificial Intelligence**
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (OIC-COMSTECH) and Ningbo University, China, have jointly launched an international certificate course in Applied Biomedical Artificial Intelligence. The hybrid-format initiative has attracted participation from over 1,000 young scientists, researchers, and professionals from 30 countries, aiming to enhance practical AI skills in the biomedical sector, particularly among participants from low- and middle-income OIC member states.
The inaugural ceremony took place at the COMSTECH Secretariat in Islamabad, beginning with a recitation from the Holy Quran. Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of OIC-COMSTECH, welcomed attendees and highlighted the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in healthcare. He outlined AI’s critical roles in areas such as disease diagnosis, drug discovery, predictive analytics, and personalized medicine, noting the course’s importance as a significant milestone in fostering international scientific collaboration.
Prof. Choudhary emphasized that the 19-day program is designed to provide hands-on experience and practical knowledge in AI applications specific to biomedical research. The course stipulates that participants must attend at least 80% of sessions to be eligible for certification, ensuring commitment to rigorous learning and skill development.
The launch event featured keynote speeches from prominent Chinese scientists. Prof. Dr. Liu Xinmin, Chief Scientist at the Institute of Drug Discovery, Ningbo University, spoke on the urgent need for global scientific partnerships to drive advances in biomedical research. Academician Prof. Dr. Zhao Yufen, Director at the Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, joined virtually as guest of honour, underscoring the imperative to develop AI talent capable of tackling global health challenges.
Prof. Dr. Yuzong Chen, Deputy Director of the State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, presented an overview of the course content and delivered the first technical lecture, focusing on advanced AI applications in chemical genomics and drug development. The inaugural session concluded with an interactive Q&A, setting the stage for continued high-level engagement and collaboration.
This certificate course marks a significant step forward in deepening long-term scientific cooperation between the OIC and China, promising to empower the next generation of researchers with cutting-edge AI expertise in biomedicine.
