A high-level academic delegation from Bangladesh has concluded a landmark week-long visit to Pakistan, resulting in the signing of more than 20 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading Pakistani universities and industry stakeholders. The agreements mark a significant step in strengthening educational and research collaboration between the two nations.
Organized by the OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), the visit took place from June 16 to 21 and included a seven-member delegation comprising vice-chancellors and senior officials from prominent Bangladeshi universities.
During their tour, the delegation visited premier academic institutions in Lahore, Islamabad, and Murree, including members of the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE). The signed MoUs aim to facilitate a wide range of collaborative initiatives, including faculty and student exchanges, joint research projects, academic partnerships, knowledge-sharing, and organization of scientific conferences. Notably, the agreements also include PhD fee waivers for Bangladeshi students at partner institutions in Pakistan.
A major highlight of the visit was the signing of a groundbreaking agreement with Gourmet Foods, one of Pakistan’s leading industrial groups, to offer industrial internships for Bangladeshi students. The move is expected to enhance practical learning and promote deeper integration between academic institutions and industry.
The delegation was warmly received at receptions hosted by key dignitaries, including Dr Chaudhary Abdul Rehman, Chairman of the Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan (APSUP); H.E. Md. Iqbal Hussain Khan, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Pakistan; and Prof Dr Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of COMSTECH. These engagements provided a platform for in-depth discussions on future cooperation in science, technology, and higher education.
Calling the visit “historic and highly productive,” the Bangladeshi delegation expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended by their Pakistani counterparts and applauded the shared commitment to academic excellence. They also lauded COMSTECH for its pivotal role in facilitating the visit and welcomed the announcement of 100 fully funded scholarships for Bangladeshi students in partnership with the University of Lahore.
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This successful academic mission highlights COMSTECH’s ongoing efforts to promote scientific and educational advancement across OIC member states. It also reinforces the cultural and educational bonds between Pakistan and Bangladesh, setting the stage for long-term collaboration and mutual growth in higher education.