Mumbai, April 19: Against the backdrop of the nationwide furore over the recent rape incidents, the Bombay High Court on Thursday observed sharply that India's image has "taken a beating" with an increased perception abroad that it is a "country of crimes and rapes".

A division bench of Justice S.C. Dharmadhikari and Justice Bharati Dangre said besides an impression that "liberal and secular people are not safe", due to the prevailing scenario, the rest of world is hesitant to engage with India on educational or cultural matters.

"Anywhere we go, we have to answer a barrage of questions... Unfortunate that today, the image is such that those living abroad feel only rapes and crimes take place in India.

"They are under the impression that liberal, open-minded and secular people can't be safe here and are bound to be attacked. The country's image is suffering due to acts of a few," the bench observed.

It said that no international body is keen to be part of "our educational-cultural projects, and even investors show initial enthusiasm but pull out later".

"No institution, including the judiciary in the country, is spared from this... We are very sorry to see this... Do we want to live in a cocoon?" the bench asked.

The court's candid observations came while hearing the petitions filed by the kin of slain rationalists -- Narendra Dabholkar on August 20, 2013 in Pune and Communist stalwart Govind Pansare on February 20, 2015 in Kolhapur -- seeking a court-monitored investigation.

Representing the CBI, Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh and Maharashtra CID's senior counsel Ashok Mundargi informed the court that there appears little hope now of achieving any substantial breakthrough from further field investigations.

"Now the only hope is scientific probe and evidence from the forensic evidences call detail records," Mundargi said.

To this, the court asked how could the case be taken to its logical conclusion and whether it should be permitted to reach a dead-end when such crimes are on the rise.

The judges asked why the investigating agencies could not initiate measures to "completely strangulate" the organisational backing enjoyed by the accused instead of merely waiting for them to surrender some day.

Though not critical of the investigations, the court warned that if the two agencies failed to report any progress at the next date of hearing, it would be compelled to summon senior officials.

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Ajman (UAE): Staque, a global leader in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and advanced technology solutions, have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Thumbay Group’s Gulf Medical University (GMU) and its Thumbay College of Management and Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (TCMAIH). This strategic partnership aims to revolutionize the integration of artificial intelligence and quantum computing into healthcare education, training, and research, with far-reaching implications for the region’s healthcare and technology sectors.

Founded by Dr. Thumbay Moideen in 1997, Thumbay Group is a diversified international business conglomerate with operations across different verticals including Education, Healthcare, Medical Research, Diagnostics, Retail Pharmacy, Health Communications, Retail Opticals, Wellness, Nutrition Stores, Hospitality, Real Estate, Publishing, Technology, Media, Events, Medical Tourism, Trading and Marketing & Distribution. Headquartered in Dubai, the group presently employs around 3000 people.

The MoU establishes a collaborative framework to harness the transformative potential of AI in healthcare, focusing on both academic innovation and practical applications. This collaboration aligns with the UAE’s vision for technological leadership and aims to position GMU and Staque at the forefront of global healthcare advancements.

Driving AI Innovation Through Strategic Partnership

The agreement outlines several groundbreaking initiatives, including:

● Thumbay-Staque Lab in Artificial Intelligence: This state-of-the-art lab, to be established at GMU’s campus, will serve as a hub for cutting-edge research and practical applications of AI in healthcare, focusing on areas such as diagnostics, personalized medicine, and healthcare operations.

● Internship and Employment Pathways: Staque will facilitate internships, short placements, and employment opportunities for TCMAIH students, fostering UAE Nationals’ empowerment and integrating local talent into the global healthcare technology landscape.

● Collaborative AI Programs: Together, Staque and GMU will develop fellowship, short-term, and long-term programs in healthcare AI, leveraging a revenue-sharing model to promote sustainability and scalability.

● Joint High-performance Computing Research Initiatives: The partnership will support joint research projects through the Thumbay International Research Grant, targeting high-impact areas in AI, quantum computing and healthcare.

● Global Collaboration and Expertise Sharing: Faculty and staff exchanges will enhance knowledge transfer, while industry partnerships will drive regional and international expansions of TCMAIH’s and Staque’s initiatives.

Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder President of Thumbay Group UAE, commenting on the partnership said, “Our partnership with Staque is a natural extension of our commitment to advancing healthcare education and practice. By integrating AI into our curriculum and research initiatives, we are empowering our students and faculty to become leaders in a rapidly evolving healthcare ecosystem.”

Dr. Muhammad Khan, CEO of Staque, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in merging AI and healthcare education. By establishing the Thumbay-Staque Lab, we are taking significant steps toward a future where AI drives meaningful improvements in patient outcomes, operational efficiencies, and healthcare innovation.”

Transforming Healthcare Through AI

Staque’s extensive expertise in AI, quantum computing, and robotics complements GMU’s reputation for academic excellence. This partnership aims to tackle critical challenges and unlock opportunities across healthcare and education, including:

● AI-Powered Diagnostics: Tools for early disease detection and personalized treatment planning, using advanced algorithms and quantum computing to process vast datasets with unparalleled speed and accuracy.

● Adaptive Learning Systems: AI-driven systems to create personalized educational experiences for healthcare professionals, addressing skill gaps and enhancing training efficiency.

● Healthcare Operations Optimization: Autonomous intelligence solutions to streamline administrative workflows, reduce inefficiencies, and enhance the overall patient experience.

“Medical research and practices are ripe for innovation. Accuracy, accessibility and affordability issues have a critical impact on global health care. The adoption of AI and quantum computing are essential to address these issues” said Dr. Raees Tonse, Staque Board Member who catalyzed the partnership.

The Thumbay-Staque partnership also explores regional and international opportunities for expanding AI and quantum computing programs, enabling students and professionals to access world-class resources and tools. These initiatives will not only strengthen the UAE’s position as a global innovation hub but also set new benchmarks for integrating emerging technologies into healthcare systems.

About the Partners

Thumbay Group and Gulf Medical University

Thumbay Group, a leading private conglomerate in the UAE, operates Gulf Medical University (GMU), a premier institution recognized for its excellence in medical education, research, and healthcare delivery. The Thumbay College of Management and Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (TCMAIH) is dedicated to marrying technology and medical education, ensuring students and health care professionals are equipped to thrive in a technology-driven healthcare landscape.

Staque Solutions

Staque Solutions bridges the gap between cutting-edge computer science and real-world business needs. With expertise spanning AI, blockchain, quantum computing, and software engineering, Staque empowers organizations to thrive in an era of rapid technological advancement through its autonomous intelligence and high-performance computing solutions. Founded in Calgary, Canada, Staque has grown into a global organization with presence in North America, the GCC, and Asia.