Pakistan, Fudan University map out AI, health, education cooperation

BEIJING , Jul 13 (APP): A high-level delegation of Pakistani university leaders, headed by Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, visited Fudan University on Thursday for wide-ranging talks on academic exchange, doctoral training, artificial intelligence, public health and cultural cooperation.

Qiu Xin, Chairperson of the Fudan University Council, held a courtesy meeting with the delegation at the Handan Campus, while the working session was chaired by Vice President Chen Zhimin. The delegation comprised the heads of COMSATS University Islamabad, NUST, University of Sindh, BUITEMS Quetta, Bahria University, Kotli University, AJK, and UET Peshawar, University of Sargodha, along with senior HEC officials.

HEC Chairman Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar showed keen interest in cooperating with Fudan University across priority areas, including joint research, faculty development, and student mobility. He noted that partnerships with world-class Chinese institutions align with Pakistan’s higher education reform agenda and would open new avenues for Pakistani scholars and students.

Lu Lian, Director of Fudan’s Office of Global Partnerships, expressed the university’s interest in collaboration with Pakistani institutions in emerging engineering areas, with discussions also covering the CPEC University Alliance and a Fudan–Pakistan leaders’ training initiative. Assistant President Chen Yan introduced the doctoral program, aimed at expanding PhD enrolment with global participation, while briefings from the colleges of integrated circuits, international relations, and computer science and AI highlighted English-taught programs and summer schools open to Pakistani students.

From the Pakistani side, NUST proposed cooperation with Fudan’s School of International Relations and Public Affairs along with teacher training, while Bahria University sought collaboration in maritime studies and open distance learning.

Dr. Tahir Mumtaz Awan, Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Sargodha, said the university has established a One Health center focusing on the health of people, animals, and the environment. Already working with two UK universities and over 30 Pakistani universities on early cancer diagnosis and treatment research, the center has invited Fudan to join the initiative. He also proposed cooperation in Chinese–Pakistani literature translation and the establishment of a dedicated literature center.

Both sides agreed there is substantial room for cooperation and concluded with discussions on future collaboration.