Pakistan and Ethiopia have agreed to advance a proposed framework for bilateral cooperation in education, with discussions focusing on higher education, technical and vocational training, STEAM education, research and stronger institutional linkages.
Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training (MoFEPT) Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui held talks with Ethiopian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Oumer Hussien Oba at the Ministry of Education and Professional Training in Islamabad on Thursday.
Welcoming the ambassador, Siddiqui said Pakistan attaches great importance to its longstanding relations with Ethiopia and wants to expand cooperation, particularly in education. He noted that the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973, while the opening of the Ethiopian Embassy in Islamabad in 2022 provided fresh momentum to bilateral engagement.
A major focus of the meeting was the draft Memorandum of Understanding on education cooperation, which Pakistan had shared with Ethiopia through diplomatic channels in December 2025. The proposed agreement would provide a structured framework for collaboration in higher education, technical and vocational education and training, STEAM education, research and academic exchanges.
Siddiqui welcomed an update from the Ethiopian side on the draft MoU and said Pakistan was ready to consider Ethiopia’s comments to help finalize mutually acceptable terms. He proposed that focal persons from both sides engage on any outstanding issues before the agreement moves towards formal signing through diplomatic channels.
The minister highlighted several opportunities for university-level cooperation, including joint seminars, workshops, webinars, guest lectures, visiting scholars, student networking, cultural exchanges, research showcases and innovation initiatives. He also encouraged direct partnerships between universities and research institutions in both countries to promote faculty interaction, collaborative research and greater academic exposure for students.
Skills development was another key area of discussion. Siddiqui highlighted the potential role of Pakistan’s National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and relevant Ethiopian institutions in exchanging expertise on competency standards, industry-responsive training, institutional capacity building and emerging skills requirements.
The two sides also discussed cooperation in STEAM education, particularly interdisciplinary learning, research and the exchange of teaching practices and educational resources.
Ambassador Oumer Hussien Oba appreciated the warm welcome and reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthening relations with Pakistan. He emphasized the importance of greater cooperation in education, research and institutional linkages, particularly between universities and research institutions.
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The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to advancing the proposed education cooperation framework and turning the longstanding Pakistan-Ethiopia relationship into practical opportunities for students, teachers, universities and the skills development sectors of both countries.
