Tuesday, 27th October 2026

Riphah International University, Pakistan, in collaboration with The Maldives National University (MNU), successfully co-hosted the first-ever Hybrid Boutique International Conference on Medical Education (Boutique ICME 2026) on 26–27 October 2026 in Malé, Maldives. Held under the theme “Shaping the Future of Health Professions Education: Innovation, Leadership & Excellence,” the two-day international conference brought together 104 registered participants from 12 countries, including distinguished academics, healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, educators, and students, to explore emerging trends, innovations, and future priorities in Health Professions Education (HPE).

Hosted at The Maldives National University, the conference was conducted in a hybrid format, welcoming 80 delegates onsite and 24 participants online. The event marked an important milestone for Riphah International University's International Conference on Medical Education (ICME), representing the first edition organised in the boutique hybrid format and the first to be co-hosted with an international partner university.

The conference was inaugurated in the presence of the Chief Guest, Her Excellency Hon. Geela Ali, Minister of Health, Family and Welfare, Republic of Maldives. His Excellency Vice Admiral (Retd) Faisal Rasul Lodhi, High Commissioner of Pakistan to the Republic of Maldives, also attended the opening ceremony. Other distinguished dignitaries included Dr. Aishath Shehenaz Adam, Vice Chancellor, The Maldives National University; Mr. Hassan Muhammad Khan, Chancellor, Riphah International University; Prof. Dr. Yawar Hayat Khan, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) and President ICME, Riphah International University; Prof. Vishna Devi V. Nadarajah, President-Elect of the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE); and Dr. Divine Ndonbi Banyubala, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical and Dental Council, Ghana.

The participation of senior academic leadership and government representatives from both countries underscored the importance of strengthening educational, institutional, and professional relationships between Pakistan and the Maldives.

International Participation and a Comprehensive Scientific Programme

Boutique ICME 2026 attracted participants from Pakistan, Maldives, Australia, Ghana, India, Malaysia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Oman, Switzerland, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. This diverse international representation provided an important platform for sharing academic experiences, exchanging good practices, and developing professional connections across geographical and institutional boundaries.

The scientific programme was designed to promote innovative, learner-centred, and quality-driven approaches to health professions education. It comprised 11 pre-conference workshops, a panel discussion, two plenary lectures, six parallel symposia featuring 22 invited talks, and 64 research presentations, including 48 oral presentations and 16 poster presentations.

The hybrid programme enabled meaningful participation from both onsite and online delegates, with dedicated virtual sessions supporting international academic engagement.

Pre-Conference Workshops and Panel Discussion

The pre-conference day, held on 26 October 2026, featured 11 specialised workshops, with eight conducted onsite and three delivered online. These workshops provided practical learning opportunities for health professions educators and professionals in areas such as integrating artificial intelligence into case-based learning, assessment innovation, curriculum design, evidence synthesis using AI, technology-enhanced learning, patient-centred communication, educational leadership, and faculty and student wellbeing.

A significant feature of the programme was the panel discussion titled “From Curriculum to Community: Innovation and Leadership in Women’s Health Education.” Chaired and moderated by Dr. Fathimath Shazma Rameez, the discussion featured Hawwa Hana, Fathimath Shara, Shadhiya Ibrahim, and Mariyam Rasheeda as panellists. The session explored how women's health education can be designed around community needs and how educational leadership and innovation can contribute to strengthening healthcare education and practice.

Distinguished Plenary Lectures

Two distinguished plenary lectures anchored the main conference programme on 27 October 2026, addressing the role of leadership, innovation, governance, and institutional reform in advancing health professions education.

The opening plenary, titled “From Uncertainty to Opportunity: Leading Innovation in Health Professions Education,” was delivered by Prof. Vishna Devi V. Nadarajah, Deputy Vice Chancellor of IMU University and President-Elect of the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE). Her insightful lecture explored visionary leadership, adaptability, and innovation in navigating the changing landscape of health professions education. The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Yawar Hayat Khan and moderated by Dr. Rahila Yasmeen, followed by an interactive question-and-answer session.

The closing plenary, titled “From Strategy to Impact: Aligning Governance, Leadership, and Reform for Health System Performance,” was delivered by Dr. Divine Ndonbi Banyubala, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical and Dental Council, Ghana. Her presentation highlighted the importance of effective governance, organisational growth, strategic leadership, and institutional reforms in strengthening healthcare regulatory and educational institutions. The session was chaired by Gen. Najam us Saqib Khan and moderated by Prof. Rehan Ahmed Khan.

Parallel Symposia and Research Presentations

The conference featured six parallel symposia covering critical and emerging areas of health professions education. Collectively, these sessions included 22 invited talks by regional and international experts.

The symposium themes included:

• Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Medical Education.
• Resilient Medical Education: Leadership, Postgraduate Training and Assessment for Excellence.
• Building Cultures of Well-Being and Resilience in Health Professions Education.
• The Nexus of Leadership and Innovation: Current Trends and Future Realities.
• Breaking the Silence: Understanding, Addressing, and Preventing Workplace Violence in Healthcare Education and Practice.
• Beyond Awareness: Embedding Social Determinants of Health Across Medical Education.

Research and scholarly engagement remained central to the conference. A total of 64 research contributions were presented through eight oral presentation sessions and two poster sessions. The oral presentations comprised 34 onsite and 14 online papers, while the poster sessions featured six onsite and ten online presentations.

The research presentations addressed themes including technology and artificial intelligence, teaching and learning, assessment and evaluation, faculty development, curriculum development, student engagement, professionalism, and broader developments in medical education. These contributions provided opportunities for researchers and educators to share evidence-based practices, discuss emerging challenges, and explore new directions for educational research and innovation.

International Exhibition and Institutional Engagements

An exhibition featuring five organisations and institutions from five countries ran alongside the scientific programme on both conference days. The participating exhibitors were JAM Web Services (Australia), Riphah International University (Pakistan), RAK College of Dental Sciences, RAK Medical & Health Sciences University (United Arab Emirates), The Maldives National University (Maldives), and Wisconsin International University College, Ghana.

The exhibition provided delegates with opportunities to explore academic programmes, educational technologies, institutional initiatives, and potential areas of collaboration. It also highlighted the growing role of digital solutions, workplace-based assessment, and technology-enabled systems in contemporary health professions education.

Riphah International University's participation provided an opportunity to showcase its Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, academic programmes, campuses, international collaborations, and the ICME platform to delegates from different countries.

Alongside the conference, the Riphah delegation undertook important institutional engagements to strengthen international academic relationships. These included a breakfast hosted by the High Commissioner of Pakistan to the Maldives and a meeting with the leadership of Villa College to explore potential avenues for future academic collaboration. These engagements further reflected Riphah's commitment to expanding its international partnerships and creating opportunities for cross-border academic cooperation.

Closing Ceremony and Recognition of Collaborative Contributions

The closing ceremony, held on 27 October 2026, brought together faculty members, students, academic leaders, and distinguished guests to celebrate the successful conclusion of Boutique ICME 2026 and reaffirm the importance of continued international collaboration in health professions education.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Gen. Najam us Saqib Khan, Vice President (ICME) and Dean, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (FHMS), Riphah International University. He acknowledged the contributions of the host institutions, distinguished speakers, participants, and organising teams whose collective efforts contributed to the success of the conference.

Tokens of appreciation were presented by the senior leadership of both universities, including Mr. Hassan Muhammad Khan, Chancellor, Riphah International University; Dr. Aishath Shehenaz Adam, Vice Chancellor, The Maldives National University; Prof. Dr. Yawar Hayat Khan, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) and President ICME, Riphah International University; and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of The Maldives National University. The presentations recognised the valuable contributions and collaborative efforts of the participating institutions and distinguished guests.

The Maldives National University also hosted a dinner for conference participants and distinguished guests at Citron Restaurant, providing an opportunity to celebrate the successful academic engagement and further strengthen professional relationships between the participating institutions.

Boutique ICME 2027 Announced for Accra, Ghana

One of the major highlights of the closing ceremony was the joint announcement of Boutique ICME 2027, which will be hosted in Accra, Ghana, through a collaboration between Riphah International University, Pakistan, and Wisconsin International University College, Ghana.

The announcement was made jointly by Prof. Dr. Yawar Hayat Khan, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) and President ICME, representing Riphah International University; Dr. Julius Kwaku Adu-Ntim of Wisconsin International University College, Ghana; and Dr. Divine Ndonbi Banyubala, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical and Dental Council, Ghana.

The selection of Accra as the next host destination marks an important milestone in the international expansion of the Boutique ICME initiative, extending its collaborative reach from South Asia to Africa. Building on the achievements of the Maldives edition, Boutique ICME 2027 will provide further opportunities for international knowledge exchange, educational innovation, research collaboration, and professional development in health professions education.

Advancing Global Excellence in Health Professions Education

Boutique ICME 2026 represents a significant achievement in Riphah International University's ongoing efforts to promote excellence, innovation, and international collaboration in medical and health sciences education. Through its partnership with The Maldives National University, the conference successfully established a hybrid international platform that brought together 104 participants from 12 countries and facilitated meaningful academic engagement through workshops, plenary lectures, symposia, research presentations, and institutional networking.

The conference strengthened academic ties between Pakistan and the Maldives, created opportunities for future institutional partnerships, and laid the foundation for the next edition in Ghana.

Through initiatives such as the International Conference on Medical Education, Riphah International University continues to advance its vision of strengthening global academic partnerships, promoting educational innovation, developing effective academic leadership, and preparing competent, compassionate, and future-ready healthcare professionals.

From the Maldives to Ghana, Riphah International University's international academic journey continues, contributing to a global community committed to excellence, innovation, and the advancement of Health Professions Education.