KARACHI: The Aga Khan University’s Centre for Innovation in Medical Education (CIME), in partnership with AKU Medical College, has received the AMEE ASPIRE to Excellence Award 2026 from the International Association for Health Professions Education for its work in simulation-based health professions education.
The recognition places CIME among an international group of institutions inducted into the AMEE ASPIRE Academy this year for excellence in healthcare simulation.
Established in 2017 as Pakistan’s first healthcare simulation centre, CIME has grown into the country’s largest facility of its kind and is regarded as one of the most advanced healthcare teaching and learning institutes in Pakistan and East Africa.
In 2020, CIME became South Asia’s first simulation programme to secure accreditation from the US-based Society for Simulation in Healthcare. The ASPIRE Award represents another significant international benchmark for the centre.
“Receiving the ASPIRE to Excellence Award in Simulation is a proud milestone for CIME and a significant moment for healthcare simulation in Pakistan,” said Dr Faisal Ismail, Regional Director, CIME, South Asia.
“As an institution based in a low- and middle-income country, this recognition affirms that excellence in simulation-based education is not defined by geography or resources alone, but also by vision, collaboration and a strong commitment to improving healthcare,” he added.
According to AKU, the award recognises the sustained contributions of CIME’s faculty, staff, leadership, partners and learners towards advancing simulation as a tool for professional education, patient safety and health systems strengthening across Pakistan.
The achievement is also expected to encourage more institutions in Pakistan and other low- and middle-income countries to invest in simulation-based health education.
“This recognition from AMEE affirms what we have always believed at the Aga Khan University — that world-class health professions education can be built anywhere where there is rigour and commitment,” said Dr Tania Bubela, Provost of the Aga Khan University.
“CIME’s achievement reflects the University’s broader mission to advance health outcomes across Pakistan and East Africa, and we are proud to see that work recognised on a global stage,” she added.
The award was presented to Dr Faisal Ismail at the AMEE Conference 2026, held in Vienna from August 22 to 26 under the theme “Educators as Catalysts: Building the Future of Health”.
The international recognition highlights CIME’s contribution to advancing simulation-based health professions education in Pakistan and underscores the growing role of simulation in strengthening professional training and improving patient safety.
