In a significant move to bridge academic excellence with frontline emergency response, the University of Sindh, Jamshoro and the Sindh Integrated Emergency & Health Services (SIEHS) formally entered into a collaborative partnership on Wednesday through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The agreement, signed by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Fateh Muhammad Marri and CEO Sindh Integrated Emergency & Health Services Brigadier (retired) Tarique Qadir Lakhair at a ceremony held at the university paves the way for a multi-faceted collaboration focused on emergency response, public health and community resilience.

This partnership will see the establishment of a dedicated 1122 Emergency Take-Off Point on campus, provide Basic Life Support training to students and faculty and create structured internship programs for anthropology and archaeology students within the emergency services sector.

Leadership from both institutions hailed the initiative as a transformative step and decided to collaborate in research and training opportunities too.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sindh Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Marri stated that the partnership built a vital bridge between theory and practice, creating unparalleled opportunities for students to engage with critical societal needs.

Chief Executive Officer of SIEHS Brigadier (R) Tarique Qadir Lakhair emphasized that the collaboration would provide invaluable anthropological insights to refine community engagement and train the next generation of emergency leaders.

He affirmed that the modern Rescue 1122 was evolving into an integrated emergency management system where such academic partnerships were crucial.

Director Operations of SIEHS Lutaf Mangrio noted that the alliance would enhance the quality and efficiency of field operations.

In-Charge Chairman of the Department of Anthropology & Archaeology Dr. Abdul Razaque Channa highlighted the role of his field, including mental health anthropology, in understanding socio-cultural factors during crises, ensuring research directly improves service delivery.

Registrar of the University of Sindh Dr. Mushtaque Ali Jariko affirmed that the MoU aligned with the university's mission of societal service and producing job-ready graduates.

Director of ORIC, the ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks from Prof. Dr. Farhat Naureen Memon, who underscored the commitment to translating the agreement into tangible outcomes for a safer & healthier future.