KARACHI: The University of Karachi (KU) and the Ishrat Hussain Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning (PILL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote mental health awareness and establish a modern research facility on campus aimed at supporting adolescents with special needs.
The MoU signing ceremony was held at the Vice Chancellor’s Secretariat, where KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi and PILL Director of Communication Dr Muhammad Akram Sultan formally signed the agreement.
Under the partnership, both institutions will establish a Research Center of Excellence designed to address the mental, emotional, educational and diagnostic needs of adolescents, particularly those with special requirements. The centre will include a Diagnostic and Clinical Room dedicated to clinical assessments, individual therapy sessions and evidence-based intervention programmes. Qualified professionals will conduct comprehensive evaluations and provide structured guidance for adolescents requiring specialized care.
A Research and Innovation Room will also be set up to facilitate data analysis, collaborative research projects and hands-on training for interns. As part of the academic collaboration, two PhD and four MPhil research projects will be jointly undertaken, aimed at enhancing research standards and strengthening professional competencies in the field of mental health.
The agreement further includes the regular organization of academic conferences, seminars and professional sessions to promote the exchange of research findings, practical experience and policy-oriented dialogue.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Muhammad Akram Sultan stated that PILL is a non-profit organization that has been working for the past 23 years to improve health and well-being, with a particular focus on mental health challenges. He said the institute is committed to generating local evidence to inform health and social care policies and described the partnership as an important step toward providing comprehensive support to teenagers and young people with special needs.
KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi emphasized that mental health issues often remain unacknowledged in society, resulting in delayed treatment and worsening outcomes. He stressed the importance of early professional intervention, stating that ignoring psychological concerns can lead to serious long-term consequences for individuals and families.
The ceremony was also attended by KU Registrar Professor Dr Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, MoU focal person Professor Dr Zi Asma Haneef Khan, PILL Director of Public Mental Health Dr Shaista Ali Siddiqui, KU Consultant Cardiologist Dr Akmal Waheed, and other faculty members and officials.
