BMU Hosts Seminar on AI Innovations and Future Directions in Healthcare

Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) on Wednesday hosted a seminar titled “AI: Innovations and Future Direction”, focusing on the next phase of artificial intelligence integration in modern medical science. The event highlighted AI’s role, potential, progress, research priorities, collaborative pathways, future research areas, and frameworks for technology-integrated healthcare.

The keynote speaker and special guest was Dr. Hammad Omar—an international expert, academic administrator at COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan, and recipient of the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz award. He elaborated on global advancements in medical research, biomedical data analysis, automated diagnostic technologies, and AI-driven public health management.

“Artificial intelligence is no longer the future; it is already transforming healthcare today,” Dr. Omar said. He stressed the need for enhanced research collaboration and policy alignment to expand AI applications in Bangladesh. Integrating AI-supported technologies into medical education, research, and patient care is now essential, he noted. Dr. Omar also responded to a series of questions from faculty members and residents.

BMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Shahinul Alam expressed his expectation that BMU would lead the country in AI-driven healthcare advancement. “AI can contribute across all sectors of the medical field. With BMU’s large patient base and vast data resources, there are extensive opportunities for advanced research,” he said. As the country’s first medical university, BMU aims to strengthen health research, medical services, and advanced medical education using its resources and through national and international collaboration.

Speaking at the event, BMU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Azad highlighted the growing significance of AI technology in oncology, radiology, and early detection of complex diseases. He emphasized the need for medical professionals to acquire proper knowledge and skills in AI.

Other speakers included Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Professor Dr. Md. Shamim Ahmed; Dean of the Faculty of Surgery Professor Dr. Md. Ibrahim Siddique; and Dean of Preventive and Social Medicine Professor Dr. Md. Atikul Haque, PhD.

Participants noted that collaborative work with national and international universities and research institutions could greatly enhance BMU’s capacity in AI technology. They stressed that AI can play a vital role in the fast and accurate detection of complex medical conditions.

The seminar also discussed specialized training for local researchers, health data management, disease management systems, machine-learning platforms for medical research, and robotic support technologies. Speakers underscored the importance of regional and international cooperation to fully harness AI’s potential.

The event was moderated by Dr. Farzana Islam and Dr. SM Shahidul Hoque Rahat of the Department of Public Health Informatics. Among others, Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Mannan, Chair of the Department of Neonatology; Assistant Professor Dr. Md. Rasel Ahmed; faculty members; and residents attended the program.

DBTech/FS/EK/OR