Islamabad, February 18, 2026 — The Higher Education Commission reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its Germany partnership during a meeting at the HEC Secretariat. Chairman Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar met with German Ambassador Ina Lepel, joined by Executive Director HEC Dr. Zia Ul Haq and representatives from the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD to discuss practical measures for closer academic and technical cooperation.
The discussion focused on structured academic exchange and technical collaboration aimed at harnessing Germany’s global leadership in engineering and technology. Both sides stressed the need to build robust university-to-university frameworks that raise the volume of joint research initiatives and faculty exchange programs, modernize curricula and foster a culture of innovation in Pakistani institutions.
Chairman Akhtar underlined the importance of increasing placements of Pakistani scholars at German universities, proposing expanded opportunities for short-term research stays and long-term degree programmes so academics can benefit from Germany’s advanced pedagogical methods and laboratory facilities. The Germany partnership was highlighted as a key route to equip students and researchers with specialised skills needed to drive Pakistan’s industrial growth.
Participants also addressed strengthening the German alumni network in Pakistan by creating formal platforms for professional networking and knowledge sharing. The Chairman praised DAAD for its ongoing role in offering scholarships and facilitating academic mobility, noting that such support remains instrumental in exposing Pakistani talent to international standards of excellence and practical collaboration with German institutions.
