The Aga Khan University’s (AKU) Centre for Innovation in Medical Education (CIME) concluded its two-day international conference, SIMPACT 2025, focusing on simulation-based healthcare education.
According to AKU information today, the hybrid event, held concurrently in Karachi and Nairobi on September 19th and 20th, fostered real-time collaboration and knowledge sharing between experts in Pakistan and East Africa. The conference underscored the importance of sustainable practices in medical simulation, addressing financial, operational, and environmental aspects crucial for long-term impact.
AKU’s CIME facilities, recognized as the largest simulation centers in their respective regions, are pioneering advancements in healthcare training through simulation. This year”s theme, “Sustainability in Simulation,” highlighted the need for responsible resource management and enduring educational strategies. The conference attracted significant international participation, including 43 capacity-building workshops for healthcare providers and over 300 research abstracts, culminating in 100 oral and poster presentations.
Dr. Faisal Ismail, Director of CIME Karachi, emphasized the significance of simulation as an investment in the future of healthcare. The dual-city format of SIMPACT provides a global stage for professionals, trainees, and industry stakeholders to unite and ensure impactful and sustainable innovations.
A key highlight was the inaugural SIMVENTION showcase, featuring 16 student-led health-tech projects, demonstrating the potential of academic innovation to bridge the gap with industry needs. An industry exhibition, showcasing advanced simulators and digital solutions from over 15 leading partners, including Gaumard, Laerdal, and 3B Scientific, further enriched the event.
The conference program included keynote addresses, guest lectures, and panel discussions exploring simulation”s contribution to healthcare education and its alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). AKU Provost, Dr. Tania Bubela, called for collaborative efforts to challenge existing norms and share practical tools for effective and resilient simulation strategies.
Keynote speaker Professor Sharon Weldon, President-Elect of the Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare (ASPiH), broadened the interpretation of the conference theme, advocating for simulation as a tool to reshape healthcare systems by promoting inclusivity and designing socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable models.
With record-breaking attendance and robust collaboration between academia and industry, SIMPACT 2025 reinforced its position as a leading platform for promoting sustainable, simulation-based healthcare education across Asia and Africa.