In Islamabad the OIC-COMSTECH and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan agreed to deepen cooperation in science, technology and higher education through a suite of joint initiatives aimed at boosting research and academic capacity across OIC member states.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH, met with Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, Chairperson HEC, at the HEC Secretariat to finalise plans for collaborative programs. The institutions committed to offer 200 annual fellowships for researchers from Muslim minority communities and conflict-affected regions to undertake placements at leading Pakistani universities, strengthening academic ties and research opportunities.
Both organisations also pledged to support 200 annual visits by Pakistani academics and experts under the COMSTECH Distinguished Scholars Program focused on STEM fields. These exchanges are designed to share expertise, foster joint research projects and raise the profile of Pakistani scholars within the OIC scientific community.
COMSTECH and HEC will launch a targeted capacity-building program to enhance the global rankings of universities from OIC member states and introduce a specialised programme for accreditation councils to align standards with international best practice. Efforts to internationalise Pakistani higher education include a dedicated plan to strengthen university international offices and improve global visibility.
A formal Memorandum of Understanding between COMSTECH and HEC will be signed to implement these measures and ensure sustained cooperation. Mr. Muhammad Murtaza Noor, Focal Person and Coordinator for CCOE and Outreach at COMSTECH, attended the meeting to support coordination and outreach activities.
