H.E. Tri Tharyat, Deputy Minister for Multilateral Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, paid an official visit to the COMSTECH Secretariat in Islamabad. The visit underscored Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening scientific and technological collaboration with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states.
Upon arrival, Ambassador Tri Tharyat was warmly received by senior COMSTECH officials. In his welcome address, Prof Dr Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of OIC-COMSTECH, lauded Indonesia’s role as a founding member of the OIC and a longstanding partner in promoting science and technology across the Muslim world.
The meeting centered on enhancing bilateral cooperation in key strategic sectors. Dr Choudhary proposed collaborative initiatives in healthcare, including the establishment of a National Medical Regulatory Authority and an OIC Centre of Excellence in Indonesia. He also suggested the organization of an “OIC Techno-Fest” in Indonesia to facilitate cross-border innovation and technological exchange among OIC member states.
The continuation and expansion of the COMSTECH-Indonesia Virology Program featured prominently in the discussions. Proposals were made to broaden Indonesian participation in COMSTECH-led programs such as research fellowships, technician training, and the Palestinian Scholarship Program. The two sides also stressed the importance of mutual engagement between leaders of the pharmaceutical sector to drive forward industry-academia cooperation.
Ambassador Tri Tharyat commended COMSTECH for its substantial contributions to science, health, and higher education in the OIC region. He reiterated Indonesia’s commitment to playing an active role in the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE) and emphasized the country’s intent to encourage increased participation from Indonesian universities and R&D institutions.
The visit marked a meaningful step forward in Indonesia’s partnership with COMSTECH, laying the groundwork for impactful joint initiatives aimed at uplifting the scientific and socio-economic landscape of the Muslim world.