The inaugural Planetary Health Summit and 6th Annual Meeting (PHAM 2024), hosted by the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health and the Planetary Health Alliance (PHA), took place from April 16 to 19, 2024, at Sunway University in Selangor, Malaysia. This marked the first occasion that this prestigious annual gathering of experts and practitioners convened in Asia.

Under the overarching theme "From Evidence to Action: Confronting Reality," PHAM 2024 embarked on a mission to spearhead discussions centered on the vital transition from evidence to actionable strategies. Key focal points included addressing pressing challenges such as planetary degradation stemming from pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss.

Among the distinguished participants was the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), a proud member of the Planetary Health Alliance. Led by Dr. Adeela Bashir, the NUMS Team was privileged to helm a Special Session entitled 'Towards a Zero Waste Society' on April 18, 2024. This session sought to delve into the concept of realizing a zero-waste society as a potent solution to the global waste crisis across diverse stakeholder groups.

Moderating this crucial dialogue was Dr. Hina Shan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health at NUMS Institute of Advanced Studies and Research. Dr. Shan, also serving as the Focal person and Facilitator of the Planetary Health Alliance (PHA) at NUMS and The Regional Hub Representative of South and Southeast Asia PHAM2024, played a pivotal role in guiding the discourse.

Distinguished speakers enriched the session with their expertise and insights. Dr. Atiq Zaman, an Associate Professor at the Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, Curtin University, Western Australia, shared illuminating perspectives on 'Zero Waste within Businesses and Industry,' drawing from his extensive knowledge of circular economy and zero waste practices.

Dr. Jane Gew Lai Ti, an Associate Professor at Sunway University School of Medical and Life Sciences, shed light on 'Zero Waste within Communities,' elucidating her pioneering initiatives in Malaysia and groundbreaking research uncovering microplastics in edible sea salt.

Further enriching the dialogue was Dr. Aman Karim, an Associate Professor from NUMS, who provided a comprehensive overview of 'Zero Waste Healthcare,' accentuating the challenges in healthcare waste management and sharing compelling narratives from the perspective of a developing country.

Dr. Adeela Bashir, Assistant Professor in NUMS Department of Health Professions Education, delved into the 'Role of Academic Institutions in Transition Towards a Zero Waste Society,' emphasizing the pivotal role of educational institutions in championing the zero waste ethos and imparting invaluable lessons gleaned from NUMS' journey towards zero waste excellence.

The Connecting Asia platform sponsored the 9th Asia International Conference at the Bella Vista Resort Langkawi, Malaysia, on December 15–17, 2023. "AI Partnership: Redefining Roles in Education, Business, and Society" was the conference's central focus. Serving as the "Session Chair" for the event was Dr. Fozia Fatima, an assistant professor at the National University of Medical Sciences, Department of Health Professions Education. Introducing speakers, directing the flow of presentations, leading Q&A sessions, and making sure the session stays within the allotted time are usually included in this duty.

She was instrumentl in preserving the caliber and consistency of the conference program in her capacity as session chair. Upon completion of her session, she gave each participant a conference certificate.  The keynote speakers of this conference were 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗼' 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗨𝗹𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗷𝗮𝗵 𝗥𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗵, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗗𝗿. 𝗢𝘇𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘀, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗗𝗿. 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝗗𝗿. 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝘆𝘂 𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗵 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗸𝗮𝗷𝗶 and 𝗗𝗿. 𝗜𝗺𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗤𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗶. It was an esteemed occasion when learning has no boundaries.

The keynote speakers were outstanding, the seminars provided insightful information, and the attendees were superb. The Connecting Asia crew whose unwavering commitment made sure the event ran well. This type of conference draws attendees from all over the world and offers a great chance to network with experts, scholars, and professionals from a variety of backgrounds. Developing relationships can provide doors to international partnerships, collaborations, and cooperative research initiatives. Dr. Imran Qureshi, the founding director of Connecting Asia, Dr. Nouman Malik, the managing director of Connecting Asia, Dr. Hammad Raza Zaidi, a member of the scientific committee of Connecting Asia, and Dr. Fozia Fatima met during the conference to discuss future research collaboration and the NUMS MHPE program. It was also determined at this meeting to take her to serve on the Connecting Asia scientific committee.

Pak International Medical College (PIMC) Hayatabad, Peshawar, extended an invitation to the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Health Professions Education (HPE) team to serve as experts in conducting an external evaluation of their academic program. This collaborative initiative saw a team of five experts from NUMS HPE meticulously evaluating the institute on October 30, 2023, spanning from 0900 to 1530 hours. To facilitate the host institution's preparedness, a preparatory proposal had been shared prior to the evaluative visit.

The evaluative focus centered on four pivotal areas, with the institute designating resource persons to collaborate with each expert. The visit, characterized by its commitment to complete transparency, afforded the experts comprehensive access to documents and data. The proceedings commenced with introductory remarks by the Principal of PIMC, followed by NUMS faculty leveraging established best practices criteria to assess specific areas. The ensuing observations and recommendations were thoroughly deliberated within the expert team, and a detailed documentation of these insights is provided herewith.

The cadre of experts, each possessing distinct areas of specialization, contributed significantly to the evaluative process. Prof Dr. Ayesha Rauf, Head of NDHPE and Assistant Dean of Curriculum (NUMS), assumed the role of overall supervision. Dr. Naushaba Sadiq, Associate Professor in HPE(NUMS), focused on Teaching and Learning, collaborating closely with Dr. Syeda Sanaa Fatima, Assistant Professor & Head of DME (PIMC), who served as the designated resource person. Dr. Asiya Zahoor, Assistant Professor in HPE(NUMS) , addressed the domain of Learning Environment, working in conjunction with Prof Dr. Fidaullah Wazir and Prof Mumtaz (PIMC). Dr. Adeela Bashir, Assistant Professor in HPE (NUMS), delved into the role of Faculty as Stakeholders, with Prof Dr. Sheraz Khan(PIMC) serving as the designated resource person. Finally, Dr. Syeda Hanaa Fatima, Assistant Professor in HPE (NUMS), explored the perspective of Students as Stakeholders, in collaboration with Prof Dr. Amin ul Haq (PIMC). Each expert's contribution was guided by a commitment to best practices, ensuring a comprehensive and nuanced evaluation.

Islamabad Medical and Dental College (IMDC) sought the expertise of the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Health Professions Education (HPE) team to conduct an external evaluation of its academic program. This collaborative endeavor, orchestrated by the HPE departments of both NUMS and IMDC, unfolded from November 1 to November 3, 2023, spanning the hours between 0900 and 1400. In anticipation of this evaluative engagement, a preparatory proposal was disseminated to facilitate the host institution's readiness for the impending assessment.

A team of three experts comprising Prof. Dr. Ayesha Rauf, Dr. Naushaba Sadiq (Associate Professor HPE), and Dr. Syeda Hanaa Fatima (Assistant Professor HPE) from the NUMS HPE diligently executed a comprehensive evaluation at the IMDC. The evaluation, categorized into four principal domains, enlisted dedicated resource persons appointed by the institute to assist the evaluating team. Ensuring absolute transparency, the visit granted unfettered access to pertinent documents and data. The Director of the Department of Medical Education (DME) and the principal extended a warm welcome to the evaluators. The DME office was designated as the focal point for the scrutiny of documents, with the Director of Medical Education (DME) serving as the primary contact.

Throughout the visit, the evaluators, under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Ayesha Rauf (Head of NDHPE & Assistant Dean of Curriculum), engaged in thorough observations and subsequent deliberations. The collaborative effort resulted in a set of recommendations documented in the aftermath of the evaluation. Noteworthy is the fact that the entire process maintained transparency, with all requisite documents, premises access, and data made available to the evaluators. The Department of Medical Education (DME) faculty and staff played a pivotal role in facilitating visits to the premises. Notably, the DME office was earmarked for interviews and document reviews. Director Clerkship spearheaded the facilitation of clinical rounds, contributing to the comprehensiveness of the evaluation.

During the 6th RMU International Scientific Conference at Rawalpindi Medical University, Dr. Naushaba Sadiq, Associate Professor HPE(NUMS) and Dr. Syeda Hanaa Fatima, Assistant Professor HPE (NUMS) conducted an interactive workshop titled "Invert, Engage & Excel: The Flipped Classroom Experience." The session proved highly engaging, with participants expressing satisfaction and acquiring valuable insights into the flipped classroom methodology. The workshop, designed as a hands-on experience, provided practical applications of the discussed concepts.

The culmination of the workshop saw the distribution of certificates to both the facilitators, Dr. Naushaba Sadiq & Dr. Syeda Hanaa Fatima, as well as the participants, acknowledging their active involvement and successful participation in the enriching learning experience.