Pakistan seeks broad cooperation in different academic field

Th e third annual conference of CPEC Consortium of Universities begins in the federal capital

ISLAMABAD: There is a need to promote broad-based cooperation and develop synergy between Pakistan and China to jointly work in different academic fields.

For this purpose, academics must play their role in informing policymakers on what works and what doesn’t. This was stated by speakers as the two-day, third Annual Conference of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Consortium of Universities commenced in the federal capital on Monday.

The conference is being held under the aegis of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad. The theme of the conference is ‘Academic Collaboration for Sustainable Partnerships’. Federal Planning Minister Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar hoped that collaboration under the CPEC Consortium of Universities will broaden the scope of bilateral relations between Pakistan and China.

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He added that the consortium will further improve people-to-people contacts while the academic community’s role through the consortium will pave the way for economic growth under the fourth industrial revolution.

The minister urged universities to study all crucial sectors to help discover potential areas where Pakistan needs to conduct further research and come up with sustainable solutions.

He stressed on promoting broad-based cooperation and synergy to jointly work in different fields including data science, artificial intelligence, technology, agriculture.

He assured the academia of the government’s full support in this regard. Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing said that Pakistan and China enjoy cordial relations.

He added that CPEC projects, including the consortium, are recent manifestations of the strong bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries. He said the consortium is a vital platform to connect people of both countries. HEC’s Strategic Policy Planning Cell Chairman Dr Moeed Yusuf said that in this age of global connectivity, the consortium can play a critical role in the optimum execution of CPEC and the Belt and Road initiatives.

Earlier, CPEC Consultant Lt Gen (retired) Muhammad Asghar said the conference will help promote people-to-people contacts. He emphasised that Pakistan needs to learn from China on lifting millions out of poverty.

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He noted that China gained economic supremacy due to its technological advancement, now excelling 5G, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum computing, and other technological spheres.

Lt Gen Asghar appreciated the fact that some 28,000 Pakistanis are currently studying in Chinese higher education institutions. “The CPEC Consortium of Universities is a common platform for Pakistan and China to collaborate in a large number of areas focused on socio-economic development,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2019.