UK delegation seeks collaboration with varsities

Group comprising British Council officials visits educational facilities in capital

ISLAMABAD:

Marking a significant milestone in bilateral higher education relations between the UK and Pakistan, a high-powered British delegation is currently on an official visit to Pakistan.

The delegation, accompanied by senior officials from the British Council and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, visited the National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST). Led by UK Government International Education Champion, Sir Steve Smith, the delegation comprised eminent personalities from the government and academia, seeking to explore opportunities for academic collaboration and research partnerships.

The NUST Rector, Javed Mahmood Bukhari, greeted the guests upon arrival at the university. Ensuing was a comprehensive discussion, encompassing the university’s national and global accomplishments, R&D initiatives and efforts towards building a sustainable knowledge economy through a robust ecosystem of research, innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialisation.

While appreciating NUST’s growth, Sir Steve Smith underscored that NUST’s active collaborations with as many as 247 universities across 52 countries reflect the university’s forward-thinking approach and commitment to fostering a globally interconnected academic environment that promotes knowledge exchange and cross-cultural understanding.

The NUST Rector emphasised that the visit not only signified the strengthening of educational ties between the two nations but also underpinned the shared commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and nurturing the next generation of global leaders.

Facilitated by the HEC-Pakistan and the British Council (BC), the UK delegation’s visit will support the objectives of the flagship initiative “Pakistan UK Education Gateway” launched in 2018, which aims to enhance partnership between the higher education sectors of Pakistan and the UK under a structured programme jointly funded by the Government of Pakistan and the BC.

The key areas of collaboration under this undertaking are: transnational education, innovative and collaborative research, higher education leadership, quality assurance and standard setting, distance learning and international mobility.

Visit to NUTECH

The UK delegation led by Professor Steve Smith also visited the National University of Technology (NUTECH) in Islamabad.

The delegation held productive talks with NUTECH faculty members and talented students, discussing various ways to collaborate through educational partnerships, research initiatives and cooperation.

The NUTECH Rector, Lieutenant General Retired Mazhar Alam, extended a warm welcome to the delegation. He emphasised the importance of international cooperation in advancing education and research, expressing delight at the visit.

Sir Smith praised NUTECH's impressive progress that took place in a short span and acknowledged its dedication to innovation and excellence. He expressed hope for meaningful collaboration between NUTECH and UK universities, aimed at addressing societal challenges and advancing knowledge.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th, 2024.