Education ministry, ALECSO and COMSTECH sign accord to strengthen academic, scientific ties

ISLAMABAD, Oct 15 (APP): The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO) and the OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand academic, scientific and technological cooperation between Pakistan and Arab countries.

The agreement was signed at the COMSTECH Secretariat by Higher Education Commission Executive Director Prof Dr Zia Ul Haq on behalf of the federal education ministry, COMSTECH Coordinator General Prof Dr Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary and ALECSO Director General Prof Dr Mohamed Ould Amar.

Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Wajiha Qamar attended the signing ceremony. Senior officials of the three organisations were also present.

Under the agreement, the parties will develop and implement joint educational and scientific programmes in science, technology and innovation. They will also collaborate in organising conferences, seminars, workshops, exhibitions and professional training courses at the national and international levels.

The memorandum provides for the establishment of ALECSO Chairs at selected Pakistani universities and stronger linkages between Arab research centres and universities, scientific institutions and research organisations in Pakistan.

The three organisations will also explore scholarship and training opportunities for Pakistani students in Arab countries and for students from Arab countries in Pakistan. Exchanges of experts, academics and researchers, along with the sharing of methodologies, experience and good practices, form another component of the agreement.

Ms Qamar described the agreement as the beginning of a new phase in educational and scientific relations between Pakistan and the Arab world.

She said the partnership should translate into practical opportunities for students, teachers and researchers through scholarships, academic exchanges, professional training and collaborative research.

International academic partnerships, she said, were important for equipping young people with modern skills and linking Pakistani universities with wider research and knowledge networks.

Prof Choudhary said COMSTECH would serve as a facilitating institution by connecting Pakistani universities and research centres with their counterparts in Arab countries and coordinating follow-up on agreed initiatives.

He said the agreement should not remain confined to a document and should instead lead to measurable programmes that directly benefit students, researchers and academic institutions.

Prof Amar said the memorandum provided a practical framework for bringing educational and scientific institutions in Pakistan and the Arab world closer together. He expressed the hope that it would result in sustained cooperation in education, culture, science and technology.

Prof Zia Ul Haq welcomed the initiative and said stronger institutional linkages could open new opportunities for universities, scientists and young researchers.

The parties agreed to identify priority projects and establish coordination arrangements for the implementation and review of activities under the agreement.