In a significant step towards enhancing academic and strategic research collaboration, the Centre for International Strategic Studies, Azad Jammu & Kashmir (CISS-AJK) and the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) Islamabad, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening joint research and knowledge-sharing efforts.
The signing ceremony took place at NIMA’s Head Office in Bahria University, Islamabad. The agreement was formally inked by Vice Admiral (Retd.) Ahmed Saeed HI(M), President of NIMA, and Dr. Asma Shakir Khawaja, Executive Director of CISS-AJK.
Welcoming the CISS-AJK delegation, Vice Admiral Ahmed Saeed stressed the growing importance of partnerships between research institutions, particularly in addressing emerging challenges in Pakistan’s maritime domain. He described the MoU as a foundation for future collaboration on strategic and policy-relevant research.
Dr. Asma Shakir Khawaja highlighted the agreement as a milestone in fostering academic cooperation between the two think tanks. She emphasized its role in advancing policy-oriented research and engaging Pakistan’s youth in critical discussions on national and maritime security issues.
The partnership will facilitate joint initiatives such as research projects, conferences, seminars, and co-authored publications. Both institutions aim to contribute meaningfully to Pakistan’s strategic discourse, with a focus on maritime affairs and broader national security challenges.
The MoU marks a promising chapter in the efforts of CISS-AJK and NIMA to build intellectual synergy and drive forward the national research agenda.