Professor Dr. Muhammad Shakeel Ahmad Rector Internationalization shakeel@rihs.edu.pk Prof. Dr. Muhammad Shakeel Ahmad, Rector (Internationalization) Office 01, Basement, Rawal Institute of Health Science (RIHS)-Islamabad-PakistanEmail: shakeel@rihs.edu.pk The Office of Internationalization and Health Tourism serves as the apex body responsible for promoting the internationalization of higher education and healthcare at the institution. Its mission extends beyond enhancing global collaborations and academic mobility, positioning the institute as a global leader in health sciences and education. The office not only oversees the strategic direction of international partnerships but also supports the facilitation and enhancement of health tourism in Pakistan, focusing on attracting international patients, fostering medical excellence, and establishing the institute as a key player in global healthcare. Additionally, the office manages the Centre for Quality Assurance and Academic Development (CQAD), the Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC), and the Directorate of Human Resource Development (HRD). It ensures these bodies meet and facilitate the highest international standards, creating a unified and comprehensive approach to the institution’s internationalization efforts. This office plays a vital role in formulating and executing a strategic plan that aligns with the global vision of the institution, emphasizing excellence in health sciences, academic quality, research innovation, and human resource development. Vision:- The vision of the Office of Internationalization and Health Tourism is to transform the institution into a globally recognized hub of academic excellence, research innovation, and healthcare leadership. The office aims to foster a world-class environment that attracts international students, researchers, faculty, and healthcare professionals while advancing Pakistan as a destination for high-quality health tourism. Mission:- The mission of the Office of Internationalization and Health Tourism is to build and strengthen international collaborations in education, research, and healthcare services. The office seeks to position the institution as a leader in health sciences by promoting academic mobility, research partnerships, global outreach, and the development of international-standard healthcare facilities that cater to both local and international patients. It also aims to ensure that institutional policies,practices, and standards meet the rigorous demands of global accreditation and quality assurance bodies. Aims and Objectives:- The Office of Internationalization and Health Tourism is committed to achieving the following objectives: 1. Internationalization of Education I Position the institution as a premier health tourism destination, offering high-quality, cost-effective healthcare services to international patients. II Develop international marketing and outreach strategies to attract patients from around the world, particularly in key areas such as medical tourism, specialized treatments, and wellness programs. III Partner with leading international universities, research institutes, and healthcare institutions to facilitate joint degree programs, shared courses, and collaborative research projects. 2. Health Tourism: I Develop a globally-oriented academic curriculum that incorporates international best practices and emerging trends in health sciences. II Develop international marketing and outreach strategies to attract patients from around the world, particularly in key areas such as medical tourism, specialized treatments, and wellness programs. III Partner with global health tourism organizations, accreditation bodies, and medical facilities to ensure adherence to international healthcare standards. 3. Internationalization of Education I Oversee the Centre for Quality Assurance and Academic Development (CQAD) to ensure that academic programs meet the highest international standards, including curriculum development, teaching methodologies, and student assessment. II Ensure continuous quality improvement through regular audits, feedback mechanisms, and compliance with global accreditation bodies. III Facilitate professional development and training programs for faculty and staff to stay aligned with international academic standards. 4. Research, Innovation, and Commercialization: I Lead the Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC) to foster research excellence, drive innovation, and promote the commercialization of research outputs. II Facilitate international research collaborations, joint projects, and knowledge exchange programs in health sciences and other relevant fields. III Promote innovation by supporting patents, intellectual property rights (IPR), and the incubation of ideas that contribute to societal well-being and economic growth. 5. Human Resource Development: I Strengthen the Directorate of Human Resource Development (HRD) to develop the internal capacity of the institution and contribute to community-level human resource development. II Ensure that faculty, staff, and students are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and competencies required to meet international standards and challenges. III Promote global best practices in leadership, management, and workforce development to foster a culture of continuous improvement. 6. Strategic International Partnerships: I Formulate and implement international partnerships with universities, research organizations, and healthcare institutions across the world. II Develop Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and collaborative agreements that facilitate joint research, academic exchange, and health tourism initiatives. III Build relationships with global accreditation bodies to ensure the institution’s programs, services, and research are recognized internationally. Strategic Plan:- The strategic plan for the Office of Internationalization and Health Tourism outlines the key priorities and initiatives that will drive the institution’s global vision over the next five years. 1. Curriculum Internationalization and Academic Mobility Objective:- Enhance the global relevance of the academic curriculum and promote international exposure for students and faculty. Key Actions:- 1- Revise academic programs to incorporate global health standards, emerging research trends, and international best practices. 2- Develop international student exchange programs and facilitate faculty mobility through global partnerships. 3- Launch joint degree programs with top international universities, offering students dual accreditation opportunities 2. Health Tourism Development Objective:- Establish the institution as a global destination for health tourism, known for its advanced healthcare services and specialized treatments. Key Actions:- 1- Develop state-of-the-art healthcare facilities that cater to the needs of international patients. 2- Create a robust health tourism marketing strategy to attract patients from around the world, focusing on affordable,high- quality medical treatments. 3-Build partnerships with international medical organizations to certify and promote the institution as a global health tourism leader. 3. Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement Objective:- Ensure that the institution’s academic programs and services meet the highest international quality standards. Key Actions:- 1- Conduct regular quality audits and self-assessments to ensure compliance with international accreditation standards. 2- Promote academic development through workshops, seminars, and professional development programs aimed at enhancing teaching and learning outcomes. 3- Ensure that feedback mechanisms are in place for continuous improvement of academic programs and student support services. 4. Research, Innovation, and Global Collaborations Objective:- Promote research excellence and foster innovation through international collaboration. Key Actions:- 1- Establish research partnerships with international universities, research institutes, and healthcare organizations. 2- Support faculty and students in obtaining global research grants and funding opportunities. 3- Promote intellectual property (IP) protection and support the commercialization of innovative research outputs through ORIC. 4- Facilitate the creation of international patents and support the incubation of ideas through innovation hubs and centers. 4. Global Networking and Institutional Branding Objective:- Establish the institution’s presence on the global stage, fostering strategic relationships and international recognition. Key Actions:- 1- Participate in international conferences, exhibitions, and forums to showcase the institution’s expertise in health sciences, education, and healthcare services. 2- Develop global marketing campaigns to attract international students, researchers, faculty, and healthcare professionals. 3- Establish a dedicated international liaison office to manage relationships with global partners and stakeholders. The Office of Internationalization and Health Tourism is committed to transforming the institution into a globally recognized leader in higher education and healthcare. Through strategic international partnerships, quality assurance, research innovation, and capacity building, the office aims to foster global excellence and create pathways for growth in both academic and healthcare sectors. The integration of health tourism further enhances the institution’s global standing, creating new opportunities for economic and social development in Pakistan and beyond.