KARACHI: The University of Karachi has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Transformation International Society (TIS), a leading non-profit and multi-disciplinary mental health setup, to provide paid internships and training opportunities to students in the field of mental healthcare.
The agreement was inked on Wednesday at the VC Secretariat by KU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalid Mahmood Iraqi and Founder of TIS, Dr. Imran Yousuf, who also serves as the Honorary Consul General of the Philippines. The MoU involves the Department of Special Education (Faculty of Education) and the Department of Health, Physical Education and Sports Sciences (HPESS) under the Faculty of Science.
During the ceremony, Dr. Imran briefed the audience that TIS is actively working on various aspects of mental health and the wellbeing of persons with disabilities (PWDs). He noted that globally, there is an acute shortage of trained human resources to cater to PWDs, and emphasized TIS’s willingness to help bridge this gap by training skilled individuals.
He said TIS offers neurologists, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and rTMS technology under one roof, and is ready to provide KU students—particularly BS degree students—internships in clinical setups, psychological assessment, practical application of theoretical knowledge, and training on modern tools and technologies.
He added that all internships will be paid, enabling students to focus on their training without financial stress, while qualified trainees may also be offered employment opportunities.
Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Dr. Nasir Sulman, said the initiative will enable students to gain practical experience during their academic studies, allowing them to strengthen their professional profiles for both local and international markets.
Chairperson of HPESS, Prof. Dr. Basit Ansari, remarked that the collaboration will benefit faculty and students alike by offering hands-on training and networking opportunities.
Director Evening Program, Prof. Dr. Syed Shabib ul Hassan, said the MoU was “the need of the hour,” as Pakistan and the world urgently require trained mental healthcare professionals and specialists to support persons with disabilities.
Speaking at the occasion, KU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalid Iraqi expressed that such partnerships play an important role in bridging the gap between academic learning and field-based problem-solving. He said a large number of students will benefit from the internship program, and many are likely to secure jobs upon completion of their training.
He pointed out that Pakistan needs special educationists, speech therapists, and mental healthcare experts to serve society, adding that while governments have struggled to provide adequate facilities to PWDs, academia and industry are actively playing their part in bringing meaningful improvements.
Also present at the ceremony were the Principal of Transformation Children Rehab Centre Ainul Hayat, Assistant Medical Director of TIS Amima Salam, faculty from HPESS, and KU’s Director of ORIC, Dr. Syeda Hoor ul Ain, among others.
