An advantageous awareness session titled “Maximizing the Utilization of Coursera License for Career Development” was conducted on 12th May 2026 for the faculty members and students of the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) at KHINAMS, Islamabad. Successfully organized by the NUMS Centre for Lifelong Learning (NCL), the session brought together 50 participants, including faculty members and students, reflecting the University’s commitment to enhancing professional communication skills and promoting academic excellence within its community.

The session was resourcefully facilitated by Mr. Hamza Khan, Project Manager of the Digital Learning & Skills Enrichment Initiative (DLSEI) under the Higher Education Commission (HEC). He delivered a comprehensive overview of the initiative, thereby highlighting opportunities available through Coursera licenses and guiding participants on strategic course selection aligned with their academic and professional goals. Special emphasis was placed on effective platform navigation, structured learning pathways, and maximizing course completion to obtain globally recognized certifications that enhance employability and support lifelong learning in a competitive job market.

The awareness session focused on the effective utilization of digital learning resources, featuring a detailed Coursera portal demonstration covering navigation, course enrollment, progress tracking, and certificate management. Participants were guided in identifying relevant courses aligned with market demands, particularly within Pakistan’s employment sector, to enhance career development and employability. The learned facilitator highlighted key skill areas such as communication, leadership, data analysis, and critical thinking, alongside the importance of self-paced learning strategies and effective time management. Attention was also given to the relevance of Coursera courses for health sciences and allied disciplines, enabling participants to complement their academic learning with globally recognized digital credentials.

In order to ensure training impartiality, the University Diversity Officer (NUMS) worked alongside the DLSEI Team to ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion practices were unfailingly executed throughout the awareness session. All in all, the event promoted equitable access to lifelong learning and strengthened professional competencies through digital skill development.

The session concluded with heartfelt appreciation for the HEC DLSEI team’s continued support, reaffirming NUMS’s commitment to continuous professional development and the integration of digital learning in academic growth.

A one-day training workshop by the NUMS Centre for Lifelong Learning (NCL) on “Impromptu Speaking Skills” was exclusively planned and organized on 13th May 2026 at the Conference Room, NUMS ATR Building (Rawalpindi), for the NUMS’ University Management Professionals of the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS). The training workshop was enthusiastically attended by 15 administrative staff officials representing various departments, thereby demonstrating the institution’s commitment to strengthening professional communication competencies within its workforce.

The training session was skillfully facilitated by Ms. Salma Naz Khattak (Lecturer English, NUMS Department of Humanities & Sciences). As a subject expert in language and communication, she delivered an insightful and well-structured training focused on enhancing spontaneous speaking abilities in professional settings. The workshop equipped participants with practical frameworks to organize their thoughts quickly, articulate ideas clearly, and respond with confidence and coherence during meetings, presentations, and official discussions where prior preparation may not be possible.

The training covered key components of impromptu communication, with particular emphasis on structuring responses logically to ensure clarity and relevance. Participants were guided on maintaining confident body language, effective voice modulation, and professional presence while addressing unplanned topics. Strategies for managing nervousness and strengthening active listening skills were also discussed to enable concise and appropriate responses.

Ensuring inclusivity and equity, UDO (NUMS) collaborated with the workshop facilitator to uphold diversity principles throughout the workshop. Mr. Fida Hussain (Consultant QA / Acting Director NCL&RD Dte) concluded the session with a Vote of Thanks and presented a Certificate of Contribution to the learned resource person.

In conclusion, the training workshop was conducted in an interactive and well-organized manner and was positively received by participants, reinforcing NUMS’ commitment to capacity building and professional excellence.

The NUMS Centre for Lifelong Learning (NCL) exclusively organized a training workshop titled “Storytelling for Influence” on 21st May 2026 at the Conference Room, KHINAMS (Islamabad). Expertly facilitated by Dr. Amjad Sohail, the workshop brought together 27 training participants from various directorates and departments of the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) to explore the power of storytelling as a tool for influence, leadership, and meaningful communication.

The training workshop focused on helping participants understand how personal experiences, values, and emotions shape compelling narratives that can inspire action and foster deeper connections. Through a series of interactive discussions and reflective activities, participants examined their personal journeys, including the influence of their upbringing, significant life experiences, achievements, and challenges. These exercises encouraged self-awareness and highlighted the role of authentic storytelling in effective communication.

A key theme of the session was the relationship between identity, perspective, and narrative. Participants explored how individual experiences inform the stories they tell and how these stories can be used to engage, persuade, and influence others. The workshop also emphasized the importance of emotion in communication, demonstrating how feelings such as hope, belonging, aspiration, and resilience can strengthen audience engagement and leave a lasting impact.

University Diversity Officer (NUMS), Ms. Saba Stephen, worked alongside the scholarly resource person to ensure evenhandedness in training and guarantee that diversity, equity, and inclusion practices were resolutely executed. Overall, the training workshop was rewardingly conducted and well received by participants. It provided valuable insights into the art of storytelling and its application in academic, professional, and leadership contexts.

NCL extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Amjad Sohail for his valuable contribution and to all participants for their active engagement, which contributed to the overall success of the out-of-the-box training initiative.