Here is a comprehensive update on our visit to the University of Westminster, London, UK on Thursday 26th October 2023. The Anjuman-I-Islam delegation under the leadership of Hon’ble President Dr. Zahir Kazi sb had a highly productive and successful meeting with Prof Peter Bonfield, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Westminster, who was joined by Prof Dibyesh Anand, Deputy Vice Chancellor, and Mr. Stephen Wallis, Director.
The primary objective of this meeting was to discuss and kickstart the initiatives outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Anjuman-I-Islam and the University of Westminster in April 2023. Dr. Zahir Kazi, our Hon’ble President, eloquently introduced Anjuman-I-Islam and conveyed the purpose and goals of our collaboration, which was warmly appreciated by both the Vice Chancellor & President, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
During the campus tour and visits to various laboratories at the University of Westminster, Dr. Zahir Kazi identified two exceptional opportunities for Anjuman-I-Islam. First, during the visit to the Herbal Medicine department, he proposed an excellent opportunity to collaborate with Anjuman-I-Islam’s Unani Medicine College and AYUSH. This partnership could lead to groundbreaking research and advancements in the field of herbal medicine, further strengthening our commitment to holistic healthcare.
Secondly, Dr. Kazi recognized that the University of Westminster’s top-ranking Mass Media Communication and Entertainment programs since the year 1812 in the European region and their relationship with the BBC, London could play a pivotal role in our upcoming projects in journalism and entertainment. This presents an exciting opportunity to enhance our media and communication capabilities. Hats off to the vision and foresightedness of Dr. Zahir Kazi.
During the meeting, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor proposed that we begin by outlining short-term and long-term objectives that we aim to achieve through this partnership. We are pleased to announce that, after in-depth discussions, three short-term programs have been mutually agreed upon and are set to commence in January 2024. These programs include:
1. Guest lectures by Professors from the University of Westminster at Anjuman-I-Islam’s institutions in January 2024.
2. Field trips for students from the University of Westminster to visit Anjuman-I-Islam’s institutions in March 2024.
3. A joint Hackathon scheduled for December 2024.
In addition to these short-term programs, we have outlined several long-term initiatives that reflect the depth and potential of our partnership. These include joint research initiatives between Anjuman-I-Islam’s Unani Medical College and the Herbal Medicine Department of the University of Westminster, enrolment opportunities for Anjuman-I-Islam students in the University of Westminster’s specialized Master’s program courses in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, collaboration on student internships and projects, and a joint venture with the mass media communication, journalism, and entertainment department.
Dr. Zahir Kazi’s tireless efforts and proactive approach have been instrumental in taking the MoU to the next level, resulting in action-oriented meetings and excellent outcomes for both Anjuman-I-Islam and the University of Westminster. We are excited about the promising opportunities that lie ahead and the positive impact this collaboration will have on our institutions.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Hon President Dr. Zahir Kazi and all the members of the Anjuman-I-Islam delegation for their dedication and hard work in making this meeting a resounding success.