H.E. Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of OIC-COMSTECH, together with Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, Rector of the University of Lahore, inaugurated the new COMSTECH UoL Collaboration Secretariat at the University of Lahore. The secretariat will act as a central platform to coordinate and implement joint initiatives aimed at strengthening science and technology cooperation between COMSTECH and the university.
The secretariat will manage a range of collaborative activities including scholarships, fellowships, research projects, workshops and conferences. By centralising these efforts, the COMSTECH UoL partnership aims to streamline application processes, increase outreach to OIC member countries and ensure timely delivery of capacity building programs that benefit students and researchers in Pakistan and beyond.
The University of Lahore, recognised among Pakistan’s leading institutions and a member of the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE), has been an active partner in advancing COMSTECH’s mission. Current joint programs include the COMSTECH–UoL Bangladesh Scholarships, the COMSTECH–UoL Program for Africa, and multiple fellowship and short training initiatives tailored for citizens of OIC member states, all of which will be coordinated through the new secretariat.
Speaking at the inauguration, Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary thanked the University of Lahore leadership for their sustained cooperation and emphasised that partnerships like this are essential to drive innovation, research and human resource development across the Muslim world. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf reiterated the university’s commitment to COMSTECH programs and expressed readiness to expand joint activities to further advance science and technology in OIC countries.
The establishment of the COMSTECH UoL Collaboration Secretariat is expected to enhance Pakistan’s role in regional science diplomacy, provide clearer pathways for Pakistani researchers to access international opportunities, and amplify the impact of coordinated training and scholarship programs across OIC member states.
