ISLAMABAD, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 29th Jul, 2026) Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar chaired a meeting of Pakistani member universities of the CPEC Consortium of Universities to review progress and identify future priorities for strengthening Pakistan-China academic collaboration.
The meeting was attended by the Executive Director of HEC, senior HEC management , Vice Chancellors/Rectors from universities across Pakistan.
During the meeting, Director General (Global Engagement/CPEC Unit) HEC Ms. Aayesha Ikram presented the achievements of the Consortium, highlighting that it has grown from its inception in 2017 to include 93 Pakistani and 40 Chinese universities.
She highlighted that the key achievements include the establishment of six China Study Centres, collaborative research grants, faculty and student exchanges, training and talent development programmes and enhanced institutional linkages between Pakistan and China.
Chairman HEC Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar emphasised that Pakistani universities must adopt a more proactive, results-oriented approach in their engagement with Chinese counterparts. Referring to feedback received during his recent visit to China, he noted that while a significant number of MOUs have been signed over the years, greater efforts are required to convert these agreements into tangible outcomes. He urged universities to focus on measurable deliverables such as joint and dual degree programmes, collaborative research projects, faculty and student exchanges, innovation partnerships, co-publications and Transnational Education (TNE) initiatives.
Sharing insights from meetings held with Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU), Fudan University and the China Association of Higher Education (CAHE), the Chairman highlighted new avenues for collaboration in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, integrated circuits, biotechnology, public health, cybersecurity, agriculture, green technologies and emerging industries. He stressed that China’s remarkable progress in technology, higher education, infrastructure and innovation offers valuable lessons for Pakistan and encouraged universities to maximize opportunities available through academic engagement with leading Chinese institutions.
The Chairman HEC also underscored the importance of digital transformation in higher education, strengthening China Studies and Sinology programmes, establishing research and training centres and leveraging existing Confucius Institutes and China Study Centres as catalysts for deeper academic cooperation. He further encouraged universities to take full advantage of HEC’s Joint, Dual and Double Degree Policy and actively promote research placement opportunities being offered by Fudan University for Pakistani MS/MPhil and PhD scholars.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to transforming Pakistan-China academic partnerships into impactful collaborations that contribute to research excellence, innovation, human capital development and national progress.
