KARACHI: Diplomats from Malaysia and Russia emphasised the need for cooperation between Pakistani institutions and those in their home countries while speaking at the two-day international conference on nursing organised by the Hamdard University (HU) that concluded on Tuesday.
The conference featured deliberations from experts in seven countries. On the occasion, the second-year students of Rufayda Hamdard School of Nursing (RHSN) lit lamps in memory of Florence Nightingale and also took the oath of their profession as they are set to undergo training in clinical settings.
Speaking at the “star-studded” conference, the Malaysian Consul General in Karachi Herman Hardynata Ahmad pointed out that a growing number of Pakistani students are choosing institutions in Malaysia for pursuing higher studies. 
“Collaboration between countries is very, very important because progress can’t be achieved in isolation,” said Mr Ahmad. “During my two years as the Malaysian Consul General in Karachi I have tried hard to enhance cooperation with Pakistani institutions and individuals in the areas of trade, education and tourism.”
He said that just during the last weekend over 3,500 Pakistanis had left for Malaysia for tourism purposes. “That’s a good number, which shows that cooperation between our two countries is improving.”
Dr Natalia Zhadovets of the Russian Consulate expressed similar views. “Russian universities are open to you. Russia is open to you. Language is no barrier because you can learn in English in Russian Universities,” she remarked. 
During her Memorial Lecture about Hamdard University’s Founder Chancellor Hakim Mohammed Said, Member of the National Assembly, former bureaucrat and well-known television personality Mahtab Akbar Rashdi spoke in detail about the life and contributions of the martyred visionary. She recalled with fondness all the projects that were initiated and completed by Hakim Sahib during his lifetime.
Three experts from Malaysia — namely, Prof Dr Zahrah Saad of the MAHSA University, Prof Dr Said Nurumal of the International Islamic University Malaysia, and Anita Hussain of the Kedah State of Malaysia attended the conference in person and spoke on various topics of importance.
The experts who made presentations via the internet from abroad included Dr Parveen Ali (the United Kingdom), Ms Veronica William (Australia), and Dr Neelum Punjani (Canada), and Ms Rozina Farishta (USA). According to the organisers proceedings of the conference were beamed live to seven countries abroad, including India.
In her speech HU’s Chancellor Madam Sadia Rashid pointed out that surgeons perform operations and physicians suggest medicines after which they recede in the background. But it’s the job of the nurses to ensure that the patients get better after each one of them gets proper care.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof (Dr) Syed Shabib-ul-Hasan said Hakim Said had shown through his example how one simple man could bring about enormous changes if is disciplined and determined enough. He explained how the martyred founder of the Hamdard Foundation and HU had used his personal savings to complete his great projects.
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