Pakistan and China have initiated a major new phase of academic and scientific cooperation as Punjab University and the University of Jinan formalized a strategic partnership under the Belt and Road Framework. The agreement was signed during a virtual ceremony hosted from the Vice-Chancellor’s Office at Punjab University, with Vice-Chancellor Dr Muhammad Ali and Professor Dr Du Qing representing their respective institutions.
The collaboration is further strengthened by the participation of China’s Zhengsai Group and Pakistan’s Marjan Polymer Industries, adding industrial expertise to the academic partnership. The agreement outlines broad cooperation in science, engineering, and technology, with strong emphasis on addressing shared environmental and technological challenges.
A core component of the initiative is the launch of joint research projects focused on soil erosion, environmental restoration, water conservation, and advanced material development. To support these efforts, both institutions will establish an International Joint Laboratory dedicated to land and water protection and ecological restoration, creating a research hub for long-term, solution-driven studies.
The partnership also features a robust faculty and student exchange programme aimed at deepening academic engagement and fostering knowledge transfer between the two countries.
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Vice-Chancellor Dr Muhammad Ali stated that the agreement marks a new chapter in Pak-China friendship, adding that the collaboration will contribute meaningfully to sustainable development through practical and coordinated research initiatives.