ISLAMABAD: The Hunan University of Medicine (HNUM) in China has recently honored Pakistani scientist Professor Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary by naming its newly inaugurated research building after him, acknowledging his significant contributions to medical sciences.
This state-of-the-art facility, covering an impressive 13,000 square feet, will accommodate 17 full-time researchers who will focus on enhancing scientific collaboration between Pakistan and China.
Founded in 1912 by prominent medical educator Yan Fuqing, HNUM has developed into a leading public medical university in China, operating under the Hunan Provincial Department of Education. With two campuses—Jinxi and Jinhai—spanning a total area of 945,300 square meters, the university boasts a dedicated faculty of 4,642 and enrolls 14,425 full-time students across 20 medical programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Professor Choudhary’s recognition is particularly historic, as he is the first Pakistani scientist to be honored in such a manner at HNUM. His strategic efforts in establishing Sino-Pak research centers have played a pivotal role in facilitating collaborative projects between scientists from both nations. Dr. Choudhary is not only a distinguished figure in the scientific community but has also received numerous prestigious awards, including the Mustafa Prize, several civil awards from Pakistan, and the Golden Silkball Friendship Award from China in 2022.
As Vice President of TWAS (The World Academy of Sciences) for Central and South Asia, he is a Fellow of various esteemed scientific organizations, including the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World and the Royal Society of Chemistry in London. The establishment of this research facility signifies a major step toward strengthening scientific collaboration between Pakistan and China, paving the way for future advancements in medical research and innovation.
