Pakistani and Chinese Universities Strengthen Educational Ties
Islamabad: Universities in Tianjin, China, have formalized their collaboration with Pakistan’s University of Sargodha through three strategic MoUs, paving the way for enhanced cooperation in education, healthcare, and agriculture.
One agreement involves the University of Sargodha partnering with Nankai University to establish academic exchange programmes and joint initiatives rooted in mutual respect and collaboration. Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sargodha, emphasized three transformative projects: a TCM hospital scheduled for construction in 2025, an international-standard boarding school, and a citrus processing unit critical for local and national economic growth.
P.c. China Pakistan Economic Corridor
Dr. Abbas outlined a comprehensive plan involving student education, faculty training, research partnerships, exchange programmes, and the establishment of research laboratories and institutes. These collaborations, reported by Gwadar Pro, signify a major stride in educational and economic ties between Pakistan and China.
The University of Sargodha also signed a Letter of Intent with Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Tianjin Sansheng Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd., aiming to create a Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This includes constructing a 200-bed teaching hospital specializing in TCM and integrated Chinese-Western medical practices.
Philip Jian Peng, Honorary Investment Counsellor at Pakistan’s BoI, highlighted the vital role of educational institutions in transitioning the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) from a government-led initiative to business-driven collaboration. He noted that these efforts, including a citrus processing unit leveraging Sargodha’s citrus industry, align with the Belt and Road Initiative’s goals of fostering innovation, cultural exchange, and sustainable development.