Islamabad (TDI): The OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) hosted an International Dialogue on Higher Education and Science: Roadmap for the Future at its Secretariat in Islamabad, bringing together leading academics, policymakers, diplomats, and education experts from across the Muslim world.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Dr. Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim, former President of Mauritius, underscored the urgent need for developing nations to invest in innovation ecosystems that can empower young people and fuel sustainable, inclusive growth.
She underscored the need for global collaboration in science, higher education, and technology to tackle emerging challenges such as climate change, food security, and energy transition. She emphasized that developing nations must invest in innovation ecosystems to empower their youth and drive inclusive development.
During the event, Prof. Dr. Shahid Mahmud, Senior Honorary Advisor, OIC-COMSTECH, delivered a talk titled “AI Connecting Humans with Nature Skills: Building the Future for Gen Alpha.” He emphasized the growing intersection between artificial intelligence, nature, and human creativity, noting that the coming generations must develop adaptive and hybrid skill sets to coexist with intelligent technologies.
Prof. Dr. Syed Sohail Hussain Naqvi, Chairperson, Knowledge Streams, presented his talk on “Universities Building Economies.” He highlighted the crucial role of universities as engines of economic transformation and innovation-led growth. Prof. Naqvi emphasized that universities must evolve from traditional teaching institutions into dynamic ecosystems of knowledge creation, entrepreneurship, and societal impact.
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In his remarks, Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH welcomed the distinguished guests and participants, emphasizing that the dialogue aimed to ignite meaningful discussion on achieving education equity, improving the quality of education, and fostering international cooperation for sustainable development in the OIC region. He highlighted that education and science remain the most powerful tools for social transformation, capable of addressing challenges such as hunger, poverty, disease, and climate change.
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Prof. Choudhary further noted that socioeconomic development today is no longer dependent on natural resources, but on knowledge and innovation. Citing the example of China, he emphasized how education and science have transformed economies and lifted millions out of poverty. He encouraged universities to evolve and prepare future generations, particularly Gen Alpha, for lifelong learning, adaptability, and innovation. He reiterated COMSTECH’s commitment to strengthening Science, Technology,
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Dr. Mudassir Asrar, Adviser, Science Policy, OIC-COMSTECH, followed by a group photo and hi-tea.
In her media talk following the event, Prof. Dr. Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim appreciated the effective role of OIC-COMSTECH in strengthening science, technology, and higher education collaboration among OIC member states. She emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation in the fields of agriculture, education, medicine, maritime sciences, and energy, stressing that shared knowledge and innovation are vital to ensure sustainable growth across the Islamic world.
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
