The OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) convened an International Dialogue on Higher Education and Science: Roadmap for Future at its Islamabad Secretariat, gathering leading scholars, policymakers, and diplomats to chart a course for innovation and education across the OIC region.
Keynote speaker Prof Dr Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim, former President of Mauritius, highlighted the urgent need for global collaboration in science, technology, and higher education to address pressing challenges like climate change, food security, and energy transition. She stressed that developing nations must invest in innovation ecosystems to empower youth and drive inclusive growth.
Prof Dr Shahid Mahmud delivered a thought-provoking talk on the role of artificial intelligence in connecting humans with nature, emphasizing the need for adaptive skill sets for the emerging Gen Alpha. Meanwhile, Prof Dr Syed Sohail Hussain Naqvi underscored universities’ critical role in economic transformation, advocating for their evolution into dynamic hubs of knowledge, entrepreneurship, and societal impact.
Prof Dr M Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of OIC-COMSTECH, welcomed participants and emphasized that education and science are vital tools for social transformation, capable of addressing hunger, poverty, disease, and climate challenges. He highlighted that modern socioeconomic development relies on knowledge and innovation rather than natural resources, citing examples of countries where education has driven economic growth.
The dialogue concluded with a vote of thanks and a media interaction in which Prof Dr Gurib-Fakim praised COMSTECH’s efforts in strengthening higher education and scientific collaboration among OIC member states, calling for enhanced cooperation in agriculture, medicine, maritime sciences, energy, and education to ensure sustainable development across the Islamic world.
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This high-level event marked a significant step toward fostering international partnerships and preparing future generations for a rapidly changing technological and educational landscape.