Islamabad (GNP) : – OIC-COMSTECH and Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan have agreed to enhance cooperation in the fields of science, technology, and higher education through a range of joint initiatives.
The understanding was reached during an important meeting between Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH, and Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, Chairperson of HEC, held at the HEC Secretariat.
During the meeting, both sides agreed to launch several collaborative programs aimed at strengthening research cooperation and academic capacity across member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Under the proposed initiatives, 200 annual fellowships will be offered to researchers from Muslim minority communities and conflict-affected regions for placements at leading universities in Pakistan.
It was also agreed to support 200 annual visits by leading Pakistani academics and experts to institutions in OIC member states under the COMSTECH Distinguished Scholars Program in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
The two organizations further agreed to initiate a capacity-building program to improve the global ranking of universities from OIC member states. In addition, a special program for accreditation councils will be introduced to align these organizations with international standards and best practices.
Both sides also discussed working jointly to enhance the international visibility of Pakistani higher education institutions through greater internationalization. In this regard, a dedicated capacity-building program will be launched to strengthen international offices at Pakistani universities.
A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between COMSTECH and HEC will be signed to implement these initiatives. Muhammad Murtaza Noor, Focal Person and Coordinator for CCOE and Outreach at COMSTECH, was also present during the meeting.
