Ambassador Sohail Mahmood has underscored the growing importance of research-driven collaboration among developing nations as he welcomed a high-level delegation of Pakistani educationists to the Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation Secretariat in Istanbul, highlighting the organization’s flagship Network of Pioneers for Research and Innovation as a key vehicle for academic integration.
During the meeting, discussions focused on the historical evolution of D-8, its expanding sectoral cooperation, and the increasing role of higher education, science, and innovation in shaping the organization’s future agenda. Ambassador Mahmood described these sectors as foundational pillars for sustainable development across member states, emphasizing that stronger institutional linkages can unlock new pathways for joint research, technological advancement, and knowledge exchange.
A central focus of the talks was the D-8 Network of Pioneers for Research and Innovation, a collaborative platform that currently connects 28 leading universities across member countries. The Secretary-General encouraged Pakistani institutions to actively pursue inclusion in the network through their respective national ministries, noting that broader participation would enhance both academic capacity and regional integration.
The Pakistani delegation included prominent figures from the country’s higher education and scientific community, among them Abdul Basit, President of the Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan (Federal Chapter); Sabur Sethi, President of City University of Science and Technology, Peshawar; and Muhammad Murtaza Noor, Coordinator for CCoE and Outreach at COMSTECH.
Ambassador Mahmood also highlighted Pakistan’s strategic contribution to D-8 initiatives, noting that the country hosts key affiliated bodies, including the NPRI Secretariat at COMSATS University Islamabad and the Research Center for Agriculture and Food Security at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad. These institutions, he said, reflect Pakistan’s commitment to advancing collaborative research and addressing shared development challenges within the D-8 framework.
Members of the delegation praised the Secretariat’s efforts to promote academic and scientific cooperation, expressing strong interest in expanding engagement with D-8 initiatives, particularly through the NPRI platform. They emphasized that deeper collaboration could significantly benefit Pakistan’s higher education sector by fostering innovation, capacity building, and global academic connectivity.
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The visit coincided with the delegation’s participation in the Eurasia Higher Education Summit 2026, a major international forum that brings together universities and academic leaders from across the world. Their presence at the summit reflects Pakistan’s growing footprint in global higher education and its commitment to strengthening international partnerships.
