The Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI) hosted His Excellency Yerzhan Kistafin, Ambassador of Kazakhstan, in a high-level meeting aimed at deepening academic collaboration and fostering regional integration between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.
Ambassador Kistafin was accompanied by Engr Salim Saifullah Khan, President SOPREST, and Barrister Engr Habil Ahmed Khan, former President of the GIKI Alumni Association and CEO of Welt Konnect (Pvt) Ltd. The visit marked an important step toward enhancing cooperation between leading academic institutions of the two countries.
In his address, Prof Dr Fazal Khalid, SI, Rector GIKI, extended appreciation to President SOPREST for his continued patronage and to Barrister Engr Habil Ahmed Khan for his efforts in expanding GIKI’s international linkages. He highlighted the institute’s recent Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with top Kazakh universities, including Narxoz University, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Nazarbayev University, and Astana IT University. These agreements, he noted, will pave the way for joint degree programs, student and faculty exchanges, and collaborative research initiatives.
President SOPREST reaffirmed his organization’s commitment to advancing partnerships with Kazakh institutions, announcing forthcoming exploratory visits to strengthen academic and research linkages. He also appointed Barrister Engr Habil Ahmed Khan as the Goodwill Ambassador of GIKI, recognizing his leadership in alumni engagement and efforts to enhance the institute’s global presence.
Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin lauded GIKI’s academic excellence and technological innovation, emphasizing the potential for Pakistan and Kazakhstan to complement each other in education, science, and innovation. He announced a fast-track visa facility for GIKI faculty and students, ensuring visa issuance within two working days to promote academic mobility and collaboration.
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During the visit, the delegation toured GIKI’s state-of-the-art laboratories and smart classrooms, commending the institute’s commitment to technological advancement. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the strengthening academic ties and reaffirmed their resolve to accelerate joint initiatives that promote regional academic integration and innovation-driven growth.