LAHORE, Nov 23: A nine-member Turkish delegation headed by Prof Dr Recep Yaparel, vice vhancellor, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, visited the University of Health Sciences (UHS) on Friday.

The other members included Prof Dr Huseyin Elmali, Dean of Theology, Prof Dr Serkan Guclu, specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, Dr Adnan Narci, specialist in pediatric surgery, Prof Dr Mustafa Akin, cardiologist, Prof Dr Orhan Terzioglu, specialist in genetics, Hatice Elif Guclu, Sedat Yesildal, educationist, and Ali Cuneyt Eren, Chair of Tafseer at Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir.

UHS Vice-Chancellor Prof IA Naveed, while according a warm welcome to the delegation, said Pakistan and Turkey had eternal relations of friendship, brotherhood and affection which were getting stronger with passage of time.

“The people of Pakistan know that Turkey has supported them in difficult times and, therefore, our hearts beat in unison with our Turkish brethren,” he said.

Prof Naveed further said the unprecedented and rapid progress made by Turkey during recent decades served as a unique role model for Pakistan. He added that the close cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey, especially in Punjab, for execution of welfare and development projects in various fields, including transport and solid waste management was highly praiseworthy.

Prof Dr Recep Yaparel thanked the vice chancellor and faculty of UHS for their warm welcome. He said the Turkey’s deep commitment to friendship with people of Pakistan was no secret. He said the Turkish delegation’s visit to the UHS would open new chapters of cooperation, especially in the field of medical education and health research.

He said there was not much of a difference between medicine and religion as both are meant to make people secure and happy.

On this occasion, the UHS VC appointed four members of the delegation as the adjunct faculty of the university.

Later, the delegation visited various departments of the university.