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RAWALPINDI, Jul 09 (APP):Rawalpindi Women University (RWU) has become the first women-only university from Pakistan to join the Silk Road Agricultural Education and Research Innovation Alliance (SAERIA).
The alliance, operating under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), brings together leading institutions from across Central Asia to promote sustainable agricultural development, scientific innovation, and regional cooperation.
About 19 countries and 156 institutions are members of SAERIA. This achievement marks a significant milestone not only for RWU but for women’s higher education in Pakistan. It was made possible through the dedicated efforts and visionary leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Anila Kamal, who was invited by the Silk Road Alliance and Northwest to Agriculture and Forestry University to represent Pakistan at its annual summit, co-hosted by Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University (NWAFU), China, and Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Kazakhstan held in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
The summit served as a dynamic platform for advancing dialogue on agricultural innovation, food security, and climate-resilient practices. Prof. Dr. Anila Kamal proudly led the Pakistani delegation, representing the country at the prestigious international forum. During the summit, she delivered a pledge on behalf of Pakistan, reaffirming the country’s dedication to regional cooperation in sustainable agriculture, food security, and climate resilience.
She pledged that Pakistan would actively contribute to joint research on agricultural biotechnology, biodiversity conservation, and eco-innovative practices. She also emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to promote gender equity in science and education by encouraging greater participation of women researchers and students in international collaborations.
Expressing gratitude to the Silk Road Alliance and the co-hosts, she thanked them for creating a platform where women-led universities like RWU can play a leading role in shaping inclusive, future-ready agricultural policies. Prof. Dr. Anila Kamal’s participation not only elevated RWU’s profile on a global stage but also reaffirmed the university’s commitment to women-led research, inclusive academic exchange, and transformative education.
During her visit, the Vice Chancellor held discussions with key alliance members, including Prof. Dr. Lixin Zhang, Chairman of the Belt and Road Biohealth Agricultural Industrial Alliance, and explored opportunities for joint research, student and faculty exchange, and policy collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). RWU’s inclusion in the alliance presents promising avenues for growth and global exposure.
Students and faculty will benefit from international exchange programs, 100% scholarship opportunities, and research training with leading universities in China and Central Asia. These partnerships are expected to strengthen RWU’s capacity in areas such as agricultural biotechnology, biohealth, climate-smart practices, and biodiversity conservation.
The groundwork for this collaboration had already been laid earlier this year when RWU hosted a trilateral meeting with NWAFU and Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Islamabad. Held under the theme “Strengthening Pak-China Partnerships for Agricultural Advancement and Environmental Sustainability,” the meeting emphasized joint research efforts, cultural exchange, and the establishment of a Pak-China Agro-Biodiversity Research Centre.
Prof. Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad (QAU) and Prof. Dr. Lixin Zhang (NWAFU) were among the notable participants who voiced strong support for RWU’s proactive role in the alliance.
“It is a moment of pride that a women-led university from Pakistan is now part of a powerful regional platform shaping the future of agriculture and sustainability. We are proud to contribute to this dialogue and paving the way for our young women to learn, lead, and innovate globally”, Dr. Anila Kamal remarked while speaking about the university’s entry into the alliance.