Table of Contents
What is the Centre of Biomedical Ethics and Culture (CBEC)?
Key Institutional Milestones & Credentials:
Degree Awarding & Recognition:
Programs are awarded by the Sindh Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) and are fully recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan.
WHO Collaborating Centre:
In 2017, CBEC became the first WHO Collaborating Centre for Bioethics in the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO), a designation it has successfully renewed.
Global Reach:
Through the NIH-funded CBEC-KEMRI Bioethics Training Initiative (CK-BTI), CBEC builds bioethics capacity across Africa and Asia, including partnerships in Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Botswana, as well as regions within Pakistan like Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.
Academic Programs: PGD vs. Master’s in Bioethics
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Feature
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Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Biomedical Ethics
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Master’s in Bioethics (MBE)
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Duration
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1 Year (2 Semesters)
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2 Years (4 Semesters)
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Target Audience
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Mid-career professionals seeking foundational to advanced applied ethics skills for their current roles.
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Professionals aiming for academic leadership, advanced independent research, or health policy-making roles.
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Structure
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4 on-campus contact modules (approx. 2 weeks each) + distance learning components.
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Year 1: 4 on-campus modules + distance learning.
Year 2: Dedicated, supervised thesis research. |
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Final Requirement
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A practical “Bioethics Project” designed and implemented at the student’s home institution post-graduation.
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A 15,000–18,000 word original research thesis, reviewed by an external Thesis Review Committee (TRC).
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Ideal For
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Clinicians, nurses, hospital administrators, and Institutional Review Board (IRB) members.
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Aspiring bioethics faculty, senior researchers, health policy analysts, and legal/philosophy scholars.
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The “No Tuition Fee” Model: How It Works
- Tuition: CBEC charges zero tuition fees for students selected into the PGD or MBE programs.
- Course Materials: All reading materials and course resources are shared digitally via Google Docs at no cost.
- On-Campus Support: During the 2-week contact modules in Karachi, CBEC provides free lunch, tea, and snacks.
- Accommodation & Transport: Subject to availability, free twin-sharing accommodation (without meals) and complimentary daily transport between the accommodation and the CBEC campus are provided for out-of-town students.
- Travel Costs: Students are responsible for their own travel to and from Karachi. However, CBEC provides airport pick-up and drop-off services for international students to facilitate their arrival.
How the Programs Work: A Blended Learning Pedagogy
- Contact Modules: Intensive, on-campus sessions held four times a year. These utilize adult learning methodologies: small group work, role-playing, and the analysis of art, literature, and CBEC’s award-winning educational videos.
- “Local Moral Worlds” Video Series: Launched in 2010, this innovative series includes films like “More than Meets the Eye,” “Between a Rock and a Hard Place,” and “Whose Life Is It Anyway?” (which won a runner-up prize at the Víctor Grífols i Lucas Foundation in Barcelona). Faculty members, including Dr. Farhat Moazam and Dr. Bushra Shirazi, actively participated in creating and acting in these films to illustrate complex ethical themes.
- Distance Learning: In the months between modules, students engage with faculty and peers via the moderated “CBEC Bioethics Blog.” They submit “Must Respond” written assignments and analyze real-world ethical dilemmas from their own workplaces.
- Assessment: Continuous assessment includes class participation, module-end tests (Multiple Choice and Short Essay Questions), graded assignments, and the final project or thesis. Strict retention criteria apply; for example, PGD students must maintain a 60% average in their first four graded assignments to remain in the program.
Research and Public Outreach: Exploring Local Realities
- Qualitative Research: In 2007, CBEC faculty conducted a landmark ethnographic study with kidney vendors in Sargodha, published in the Hastings Center Report. Another significant study explored the sociocultural realities behind women medical graduates not joining the workforce, published in Medical Education and featured in Dawn newspaper.
- Ethics and Culture Hour (ECH): Started in 2009, ECH connects ethics with local artistic traditions. For example, renowned Pakistani singer Ms. Tina Sani participated in an ECH session to discuss the intersection of music, culture, and moral values.
- CBEC Forum: Using a round-table format, these forums are open to civil society. Notable guests have included British neurosurgeon and author Mr. Henry Marsh (“Do No Harm”), fostering dialogue beyond the medical community.
Admission Requirements and Application Process
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in medicine, dentistry, nursing, biological sciences, social sciences, philosophy, law, or a related field.
- Preference is given to applicants with work experience in healthcare delivery, research, health administration, or education.
- Adequate command of spoken and written English, and basic computer/web literacy (email, video conferencing, word processing, and reliable broadband internet for distance learning).
- Completed online application form.
- Brief Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Scanned copies of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
- For full-time employees: A scanned letter of permission from the institutional head approving attendance at all modules and participation in distance learning.
- Two letters of recommendation addressed to the Chairperson of CBEC, sent directly by the referees.
- One recent photograph.
- (MBE applicants only): Two samples of written work (e.g., published articles, reports, or projects).
- Step 1: Online application and document submission before the stated deadline.
- Step 2: Shortlisted candidates are invited to take a written Admission Test assessing reading comprehension and critical thinking.
- Step 3: Candidates who pass the test are invited for an interview with the Admission and Selection Committee (ASC), which can be conducted in person in Karachi or via video conferencing.
Common Misconceptions About CBEC Programs
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Common Misconception
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What the Evidence Shows
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“Bioethics programs are only for medical doctors.”
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False. CBEC actively recruits and graduates professionals from nursing, social sciences, law, philosophy, and health administration. Diverse perspectives are considered essential to enriching the ethical discourse.
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“A ‘free’ program must be low quality or unrecognized.”
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False. The programs are awarded by SIMS, recognized by the HEC, and taught by faculty with international fellowships (e.g., The Hastings Center, WHO working groups). The free model is a deliberate institutional policy, not a reflection of quality.
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“I have to quit my job to attend.”
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False. The blended learning model (four 2-week modules per year) is explicitly designed so mid-career professionals can continue working while studying.
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CBEC SIUT Internships
The CBEC-SIUT internship program is not accepting applications at this time.
The Centre of Biomedical Ethics and Culture (CBEC), SIUT offers a structured one-week internship for high school students in Grade 11 and above, including students studying under Intermediate, A Levels, and other boards.
The program gives students an introduction to bioethics through learning activities, discussions, and interaction with CBEC faculty. The aim is to help students understand ethical questions and explore different perspectives.
What does the internship cover?
During the internship, students will:
- Gain a broad introduction to ethics.
- Discuss different perspectives and viewpoints.
- Explore relevant ethical issues through different learning activities.
- Learn about ethical dilemmas and how to identify the stakeholders and values involved.
Important: This internship does not include hospital exposure or interaction with patients. It is also not available to undergraduate or graduate students.
Internship Details
| Detail | Information |
| Program dates | July 20–25, 2026 |
| Timings | 10 am–4 pm |
| Venue | CBEC, 8th Floor, SIUT Trust Hospital (Former Regent Plaza), Karachi |
| Application deadline | June 20, 2026 |
| Stipend | No stipend |
| Lunch | Provided at the premises |
The application deadline for the 2026 internship was June 20, 2026, and applications are currently not being accepted.
Requirements for Selected Interns
Selected students are expected to:
- Attend the internship on-site and arrive on time.
- Complete all assigned tasks during the internship.
- Keep a log of their internship activities.
- Submit a brief activity report before leaving the program.
Is there an internship completion letter?
Yes. A letter confirming completion of the internship will be issued at the end of the program.
Note: The information above reflects the stated 2026 internship details. Since the program is currently not accepting applications, students should check for a future announcement before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Is the CBEC bioethics degree recognized by the HEC?
Yes. Both the Postgraduate Diploma and the Master’s in Bioethics are awarded by the Sindh Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) and are fully recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan.
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Can international students apply?
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What happens if I fail an assignment or miss a module?
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Where is CBEC located?
From its inception in 2004 with a lecture on Eugenics to its current status as a WHO Collaborating Centre influencing bioethics across three continents, CBEC SIUT has remained steadfast in its mission.
It offers a unique, rigorous, and financially accessible pathway for professionals to become leaders in biomedical ethics. By grounding global ethical principles in local cultural and religious realities, CBEC prepares its graduates to drive meaningful change in hospitals, research institutions, and policy arenas across Pakistan and the developing world.
Below is a reader-first rewrite of the CBEC-SIUT faculty information, keeping the supplied facts while removing image details, email addresses, and unnecessary repetition. I have also kept the distinction between core, associate, and invited faculty clear.
CBEC-SIUT Faculty
The Centre of Biomedical Ethics and Culture (CBEC), SIUT brings together faculty members from bioethics, medicine, social sciences, law, philosophy, public health, and related fields. Its faculty includes core members who contribute to the Centre’s teaching and academic work, as well as associate and invited faculty from Pakistan and other countries.
Core Faculty
Dr. Aamir M. Jafarey, FCPS, FRCS, MBE
Professor and Chairperson, CBEC-SIUT
Karachi, Pakistan
Dr. Aamir M. Jafarey is a Professor at the Centre of Biomedical Ethics and Culture (CBEC), SIUT. He has served as Chairperson of CBEC since March 1, 2026.
He joined CBEC in October 2004 after receiving bioethics training as a Fogarty Fellow in the Department of Population and International Health at Harvard School of Public Health.
Dr. Jafarey has been involved in bioethics-related work in Pakistan since 1997. His work includes research, academic publications, presentations, and workshops in Pakistan and other countries.
He is also a Co-Director of the CBEC-KEMRI Bioethics Training Initiative (CKBTI), an NIH-funded initiative through which a bioethics education program has been developed and initiated in Kenya.
Ms. Sualeha Siddiq Shekhani, BS, MS, MBE
Associate Professor, CBEC-SIUT
Karachi, Pakistan
Sualeha Siddiq Shekhani holds an undergraduate degree in Social Sciences from SZABIST, with a major in Psychology. She joined CBEC as a part-time Research Assistant in March 2015.
During her time at the Centre, she completed a Master’s degree in Health Policy and Management from Aga Khan University and a Master’s in Bioethics from the Sindh Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) in 2019.
Her academic interests include qualitative research, bioethics, social sciences, and health. At CBEC, she contributes to teaching and administrative activities. She also teaches sessions on ethical issues in social science research in Nairobi, Kenya, through the CBEC-KEMRI Bioethics Training Initiative.
She is a member of the Ethical Review Committees of Ziauddin University and SIUT. In September 2022, she was elected to the Research Ethics Committee of the National Bioethics Committee of Pakistan.
She is also a core member of the South Asian Bioethics Community (SABC), a group of early-career scholars and researchers working in bioethics and related fields in the region.
Anika Khan, MBE
Part-time Assistant Professor, CBEC-SIUT
Islamabad/Karachi, Pakistan
Anika Khan is a hybrid, part-time faculty member at CBEC-SIUT. She works remotely from Islamabad and joins the faculty in Karachi several times a year for teaching modules, workshops, and other Centre activities.
She is a member of the governing body of the House of Light School, a charitable institution near Islamabad, where she also heads a nutrition project supported by the PAAS Foundation.
Her published work has appeared in international journals, including Asian Bioethics Review, Hektoen, and the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics. Her work has also appeared in local and international press.
Mr. Farid bin Masood, MPhil, MBE
Senior Lecturer, CBEC-SIUT
Karachi, Pakistan
Farid bin Masood holds an MPhil in Sociology from the University of Karachi and a Master’s degree in Bioethics from the Sindh Institute of Medical Sciences.
Before joining CBEC-SIUT in 2021, he taught Philosophy and Sociology at various institutions in Karachi. His academic background combines social sciences, philosophy, and bioethics.
He also has linguistic proficiency in Turkish and Arabic, in addition to English and Urdu.
Dr. Nida Wahid Bashir, FCPS, FRCS (Edin), PGD (Biomedical Ethics)
Part-time Faculty, CBEC-SIUT
Consultant Breast and General Surgeon, Dr. Ziauddin Hospital, Clifton Campus
Karachi, Pakistan
Dr. Nida Wahid Bashir is a Consultant Breast and General Surgeon at Dr. Ziauddin Hospital, Clifton Campus, Karachi.
Her association with CBEC began as a postgraduate diploma student in 2010–11. She later joined the Centre as Associate Faculty in 2015 and became part-time faculty in 2023. She is also an Associate Faculty member of the CBEC-KEMRI Bioethics Training Initiative in Kenya.
Her areas of interest include medical error, organizational ethics, and public outreach. She has facilitated ethics sessions and workshops in Pakistan and internationally.
Her publications and educational work include a book chapter on clinical ethics, Karachi Bioethics Group booklets on physician-pharmaceutical interactions and medical error, and articles addressing bioethical issues in the lay press.
She is also a founding member of the Karachi Bioethics Group (KBG) and serves as a reviewer for the Journal of Pakistan Medical Association.
Dr. Syeda Narisa Jawed Iftikhar, MBBS, MBE
Senior Lecturer, CBEC-SIUT
Karachi, Pakistan
Dr. Syeda Narisa Jawed Iftikhar earned her MBBS from Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, where she later worked as a Lecturer in Pathology.
She subsequently earned a Master’s degree in Bioethics from Aga Khan University. Her academic interests include research methodology, research ethics, and medical education.
Her background combines medicine, bioethics, research, and teaching, which supports her work as a Senior Lecturer at CBEC-SIUT.
Associate Faculty
CBEC’s associate faculty includes professionals and academics from medicine, bioethics, public health, psychology, law, philosophy, social sciences, and research.
Aasim Ahmed, FCPS, MHSc (Bioethics)
Dean and Chief Nephrologist, The Kidney Centre, Karachi
Honorary Senior Lecturer in Bioethics, Aga Khan University, Karachi
Aasim Ahmed combines clinical nephrology with training and academic work in bioethics.
Muneera Rasheed, MBBS
Clinical Psychologist and Global Health Researcher
CBEC-SIUT, Karachi
Muneera Rasheed works at the intersection of clinical psychology, global health, and bioethics.
Natasha Anwar, PhD, MBE
Consultant Molecular Pathologist
Aga Khan University, Lahore
Natasha Anwar combines molecular pathology with postgraduate training in bioethics.
Elizabeth A. Bukusi, MBChB, M.Med (ObGyn), MPH, PhD, MBE
Senior Principal Clinical Research Scientist
Center for Microbiology Research, KEMRI, Nairobi, Kenya
Elizabeth A. Bukusi brings experience in clinical research, public health, medicine, and bioethics to CBEC’s academic network.
Amar Jesani, MBBS
Editor, Indian Journal of Medical Ethics
Independent Researcher and Teacher in Bioethics and Public Health
Mumbai, India
Visiting Faculty, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru, India
Amar Jesani works in bioethics and public health and contributes to academic and teaching activities in the region.
Bushra Shirazi, FCPS, MBE, PGD, MHPE
Professor and Consultant Breast Surgeon
Sindh Institute of Urology & Transplantation (SIUT), Karachi
CBEC-SIUT
Bushra Shirazi combines clinical surgery, medical education, and bioethics in her academic work at SIUT and CBEC.
Murad Moosa Khan, MRCPsych, PhD
Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychiatry
Consultant, Suicide Prevention and Mental Health
Brain and Mind Institute, Aga Khan University, Karachi
Murad Moosa Khan contributes expertise from psychiatry, mental health, and related areas of healthcare.
Ali Lanewala, DAB Peds, IM, Nephro, MBE
Head of Department of Pediatric Nephrology
Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi
Ali Lanewala combines pediatric nephrology with postgraduate training in bioethics.
Paul A. Lombardo, JD, PhD
Regents’ Professor and Bobby Lee Cook Professor of Law
Georgia State University College of Law, Atlanta, USA
Distinguished Professor of Bioethics and Law, Sindh Institute of Medical Sciences, Karachi
Paul A. Lombardo’s work connects law and bioethics, contributing a legal perspective to the Centre’s academic activities.
Muhammad Khalid Masud, MA, PhD
Ad hoc Judge, Shariat Appellate Bench, Supreme Court of Pakistan
Islamabad, Pakistan
Muhammad Khalid Masud contributes expertise relevant to the relationship between law, religion, ethics, and society.
Mala Ramanathan, MSc, MPhil, PhD, MA, Ethics Fellowship
Retired Professor
Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies, SCTIMST
Kerala, India
Mala Ramanathan has an interdisciplinary academic background spanning statistics, population studies, medical anthropology, and ethics.
Muhammad Shahid Shamim, MBBS, FCPS, FRCS (Glasgow), PGD (Biomedical Ethics), MHPE, PhD Med. Edu. (Sydney), SFHEA
Associate Dean, Graduate Studies and Faculty of Surgery
Aga Khan University, Karachi
Muhammad Shahid Shamim combines surgical practice, medical education, and biomedical ethics in his academic work.
Abdul Wahab Suri, PhD
Professor, Department of Philosophy
University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
Abdul Wahab Suri brings expertise in philosophy to CBEC’s interdisciplinary approach to bioethics.
Muhammad Atif Waqar, MD, DABIM
Assistant Professor and Section Head, Palliative Medicine
Department of Oncology, Aga Khan University, Karachi
Chair, Hospital Ethics Committee
Muhammad Atif Waqar contributes clinical experience in oncology, palliative medicine, and hospital ethics.
Invited Faculty
CBEC also works with invited faculty who contribute specialist knowledge to its teaching, academic programs, workshops, and other educational activities.
Nauman Faizi, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences
Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Lahore, Pakistan
Nauman Faizi contributes expertise from the humanities and social sciences to CBEC’s interdisciplinary teaching and academic work.
Paul Komesaroff, MD, PhD
Professor of Medicine
Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Paul Komesaroff brings an international perspective from medicine and bioethics to CBEC’s academic activities.
An Interdisciplinary Faculty
The composition of CBEC-SIUT’s faculty reflects the interdisciplinary nature of bioethics. Rather than treating ethical questions as purely medical or philosophical problems, the Centre brings together perspectives from medicine, nursing and healthcare, social sciences, psychology, law, philosophy, public health, research, and medical education.
This range of expertise allows CBEC to address ethical questions from different professional and academic perspectives while supporting its teaching, research, workshops, and wider bioethics activities in Pakistan and internationally.
CBEC Staff
The Centre of Biomedical Ethics and Culture (CBEC), SIUT is supported by administrative, information technology, and media staff who help coordinate its day-to-day operations and academic activities.
Administrative and Support Staff
Ms. Michelle Fernandes
Administrative Coordinator
Centre of Biomedical Ethics and Culture (CBEC), SIUT
Karachi, Pakistan
Email: meluleo2002@yahoo.com
Ms. Michelle Fernandes serves as the Administrative Coordinator at CBEC-SIUT. Her role supports the Centre’s administrative and organizational activities.
Mr. Aamir Shehzad Siddiqui
IT Officer
Centre of Biomedical Ethics and Culture (CBEC), SIUT
Karachi, Pakistan
Email: aamir.assiddiqui@gmail.com
Mr. Aamir Shehzad Siddiqui serves as the IT Officer at CBEC-SIUT, supporting the Centre’s information technology and related technical needs.
Ms. Loretta Iqbal
Secretary
Centre of Biomedical Ethics and Culture (CBEC), SIUT
Karachi, Pakistan
Email: loretta76iqbal@gmail.com
Ms. Loretta Iqbal serves as Secretary at CBEC-SIUT and contributes to the Centre’s administrative and coordination work.
Ms. Zinnia Amin
Media and Design Associate
Centre of Biomedical Ethics and Culture (CBEC), SIUT
Karachi, Pakistan
Email: zinnia.amin@siut.edu.pk
Ms. Zinnia Amin serves as the Media and Design Associate at CBEC-SIUT. Her role supports the Centre’s media, communication, and design-related activities.
How the Staff Support CBEC
While CBEC’s faculty lead its teaching, research, and academic activities, its support staff help keep the Centre’s daily operations running. Administrative coordination, information technology, secretarial work, and media and design support all contribute to the delivery of CBEC’s educational and academic programs.
bioethics.siut.org) for the annual Call for Applications, typically released several months before the January intake. Ensure you have institutional permission and recommendation letters ready well before the deadline.- Center of Biomedical Ethics & Culture, SIUT, Pakistan
- 8th Floor, SIUT Trust Hospital Formerly Regent Plaza, Shahra-e-Faisal, Karachi Cantonment,Karachi
- +92 345 2207044
- cbec@siut.org
- Google Map link: Center of Biomedical Ethics & Culture, SIUT, Pakistan
