Islamabad (TDI): A high-profile academic delegation from Bangladesh concluded a landmark week-long visit to Pakistan on Saturday, establishing a new chapter in bilateral academic cooperation.
Organized by the OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), the visit resulted in the signing of more than 20 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between top Bangladeshi and Pakistani universities, as well as a significant industry partnership with Gourmet Foods for student internships.
The visit was anchored by the OIC-COMSTECH. A Special Vice Chancellors’ Forum for Bangladesh, held at the COMSTECH Secretariat in Islamabad. The forum brought together a seven-member delegation from Bangladesh, consisting of Vice Chancellors and senior officials from premier Bangladeshi universities, alongside representatives from 15 leading Pakistani universities, all part of the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE).
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General COMSTECH, described the visit as a “milestone event” in fostering academic and scientific synergy between Bangladesh and Pakistan. He emphasized the long-standing brotherly relations and shared academic aspirations of both nations, noting that COMSTECH had already announced 100 fully funded scholarships for Bangladeshi students to pursue higher studies in Pakistan, a gesture warmly welcomed by the visiting delegation.
Md. Iqbal Hussain Khan, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan, in his remarks, lauded COMSTECH’s pivotal role in facilitating the visit and for actively promoting bilateral collaboration in higher education, science, and technology. He highlighted the importance of such initiatives in building lasting institutional relationships and academic diplomacy among OIC member countries.
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During a series of engaging and interactive sessions, the Vice Chancellors from both countries held extensive discussions to identify areas of collaboration. These included joint research programs, faculty and student exchange, PhD fee waivers, academic cooperation, and infrastructure sharing. A key takeaway was the mutual agreement to appoint designated focal persons from each institution to ensure structured follow-up and implementation of the MoUs.
The forum also featured notable academic discussions. Prof. Dr. Shoab A. Khan, Chancellor of Sir Syed CASE Institute of Technology, delivered an insightful lecture on the state of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Pakistan, outlining opportunities for collaborative research and technology development.
Dr. Sayeda Zia Batool, Chairperson of the Private Education Institutions Regulatory Authority, shared expert guidance on strategies to improve global university rankings, a topic of shared interest for institutions in both countries.
The Bangladeshi delegation visited premier academic institutions in Lahore, Islamabad, and Murree as part of their itinerary. These included leading Pakistani universities. The over 20 MoUs signed during these visits reflect a wide spectrum of collaborative potential, including hosting joint conferences, developing dual-degree programs, providing short-term training, and engaging in thematic research aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
An especially promising development was the signing of an MoU with Gourmet Foods, one of Pakistan’s largest food industry enterprises. This agreement opens the door for industrial internships for Bangladeshi students, promoting experiential learning and fostering stronger academia-industry linkages.
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Throughout the visit, the delegation was hosted at various receptions by prominent academic leaders, including Dr. Chaudhary Abdul Rehman, Chairman of the Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary and H.E Iqbal Hussain Khan Higher Commissioner for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
These gatherings provided the visiting delegates with opportunities to interact with stakeholders from academia, further deepening the foundations of this new partnership. At the conclusion of the visit, members of the Bangladeshi delegation described the experience as “historic, highly productive, and deeply enriching.”
They expressed heartfelt gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by their Pakistani counterparts and applauded the visionary leadership shown by COMSTECH in orchestrating the visit. The announcement of 100 scholarships and the generous academic offers by host institutions, University of Lahore, were particularly appreciated.
This initiative is not only a reflection of COMSTECH’s commitment to fostering excellence in science and education across the Muslim world but also a reinforcement of the enduring cultural and educational bonds between Pakistan and Bangladesh. The successful conclusion of the visit marks the beginning of a new era of strategic academic partnership between the two countries, promising long-term impact on higher education and scientific research in the region.
This academic mission has laid a solid foundation for institutional collaboration, contributed to regional academic development, and demonstrated how multilateral platforms like COMSTECH can bridge gaps and build future-ready knowledge partnerships among member states. It is hoped that through effective follow-up mechanisms, the desired results will not only be achieved but both the countries would learn from one another’s experience and expertise in critical areas of higher education, science and technology.
Muhammad Murtaza Noor
Muhammad Murtaza Noor is an analyst and author with over 25 years of experience in the higher education sector.
