LAHORE: The Aga Khan University’s (AKU) School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan (AKU-SONAM, PK), and Implementation Unit of the Punjab Nursing & Health Workforce Reform Programme (PNHWRP), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance nursing education, faculty development, research and health workforce capacity building in Punjab.
The five-year MoU establishes a framework for academic and professional collaboration between the AKU and the PNHWRP, supporting Punjab government’s efforts to strengthen nursing and allied health education as per international standards.
PNHWRP is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for implementation from 2026 to 2030.
Under the partnership, AKU-SONAM, PK will collaborate with PNHWRP across a range of areas, including increased access to postgraduate nursing education, faculty development, curriculum review and reform, continuing professional development, research and knowledge sharing, simulation-based education, learning management systems, and nursing leadership and governance.
The collaboration will also provide opportunities for nursing professionals and educators in Punjab to pursue AKU’s Masters of Science in Nursing and PhD in Nursing programmes.
Other planned areas include faculty exchange, joint research and publications, technical advisory support, research mentorship, visiting professorships, conferences and scientific symposia, and the development of simulation laboratories and digital learning resources.
“AKU is a national institution and AKU-SONAM is dedicated to positioning nurses as the driving force for improving health of the people of Pakistan.” said AKU-SONAM, PK, Dean Dr Salimah Walani.
“Through this MOU, we have an opportunity to improve the standards and quality of nursing education while advancing knowledge, competence and leadership of nurses. We are immensely thankful to the Asian Development Bank for investing in nursing profession in Pakistan”, she said.
Punjab Implementation Programme Project Director Tariq Mehmood said the provincial government is committed to building a stronger, more capable and future-ready health workforce.
“This collaboration with AKU brings valuable academic expertise and technical capacity to our efforts to strengthen the nursing and allied health sectors. Together we aim to create sustainable opportunities that will contribute to improving the quality of nursing education and healthcare delivery across Punjab,” he said.
The experts say the partnership builds on the shared commitment of Punjab government and AKU to advancing nursing and allied health education and strengthening the health workforce.
Specific programmes and activities will be developed through mutually agreed ‘activity agreements’ and work plans, subject to institutional approvals, available resources and applicable policies.
Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2026
