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ISLAMABAD, Dec 06 (APP): Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary Saturday said the future of higher education in the Muslim world depends on forging stronger academic partnerships and addressing the critical shortage of skilled professionals through collaborative innovation.
He was speaking at the Annual Meeting of the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence at the organization’s Secretariat in Islamabad.
The high-level gathering brought together Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and senior representatives from leading universities across the OIC Member and Observer States in what has become a cornerstone event for advancing scientific excellence and educational cooperation throughout the region. Nearly 30 international delegates representing universities from Iran, Somalia, Palestine, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Bangladesh, Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal joined their counterparts from several prominent Pakistani institutions to chart a collective path forward for tertiary education in OIC countries.
Prof. Choudhary emphasized that one of the foremost developmental challenges facing OIC nations remains the limited pool of skilled professionals and workforce, a gap that can only be bridged through strengthened tertiary education systems and expanded opportunities for knowledge transfer.
He observed that the global higher education landscape has evolved significantly following the COVID-19 pandemic, with new digital learning tools and hybrid education models dramatically improving access to skill-based training and short interactive learning programmes across geographical and economic boundaries.
“Collaborations, knowledge sharing, best practices, exchange of scholars, technology transfer, and joint academic programmes are vital for overcoming the educational challenges faced across the OIC region,” Prof. Choudhary told the assembled academic leaders, underlining the interconnected nature of development challenges and the necessity of collective solutions.
The morning session featured two intensive technical discussions focusing on character mastery, future university models, and the evolving nexus between society, economy, and industry. Delegates engaged in structured brainstorming sessions led by senior international trainers and academic leaders, examining how universities must transform to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.
The discussions highlighted the urgent need for competency-driven education, modern pedagogical tools, university–industry partnerships, and collaborative training programmes designed to equip graduates with the skills necessary to address emerging global challenges.
The annual meeting also included a comprehensive moderated discussion on key thematic areas of CCoE cooperation. Universities presented their visions and shared insights during introductory remarks, while COMSTECH officials detailed the organization’s various initiatives and programmes.
Participants then engaged in substantive consultations on the Plan of Action for 2026, deliberating on strategies to expand inter-university cooperation across multiple dimensions including faculty exchanges, student mobility schemes, senior management training opportunities, and joint research and innovation projects aimed at strengthening research ecosystems across OIC Member States.
Prof. Choudhary strongly encouraged CCoE member universities to actively engage with COMSTECH’s flagship programmes, which include the Research Fellowship Programme, Distinguished Scholars Programme, COMSTECH Forum on Environment and Ecosystem Restoration, the Centre for Training and Research on AI and Emerging Technologies, and the OIC Technology and Innovation Portal. Detailed information about these initiatives was shared through a comprehensive presentation that outlined opportunities for institutional partnerships and individual academic advancement.
Concluding his address, the Coordinator General reaffirmed COMSTECH’s unwavering commitment to supporting collaborative ventures and capacity-building initiatives across the CCoE network.
He expressed confidence that the partnerships forged and strengthened during the meeting would yield tangible benefits for students, faculty, and researchers throughout the OIC region, emphasizing that the future prosperity of the Muslim world depends significantly on the quality and accessibility of its higher education systems.
The Annual Meeting served as a vital platform for reviewing progress achieved over the past year, identifying future priorities, and deepening academic cooperation to promote scientific excellence and sustainable development across the OIC region.
As delegates departed, there was a palpable sense of renewed commitment to the shared mission of elevating educational standards and expanding opportunities for the next generation of scholars and professionals in the Muslim world.