A 45-member Pakistani delegation led by Chaudhry Abdul Rehman made a strong impression at the Eurasia Higher Education Summit (EURIE) 2026 in Istanbul, reinforcing Pakistan higher education credentials on the global stage. Representing 17 leading universities and major higher education organisations under the Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan (APSUP), the delegation included chairmen, presidents, vice chancellors and senior academic leaders who held sustained policy dialogues and networking engagements throughout the summit.
Pakistan’s presence centred on a dedicated Pakistan Pavilion, which emerged as the largest at the summit and quickly became a focal point for international delegations. The pavilion showcased Pakistan’s research strengths, innovation ecosystem and institutional capacity, and hosted a series of productive meetings that resulted in several Memorandums of Understanding and collaborative commitments with institutions from Europe, Asia and beyond.
Participating universities included Superior University, University of Lahore, University of Faisalabad, University of Sialkot, Lahore Leads University, Iqra University, Riphah International University, Preston University, City University, CECOS University, Institute of Business Management and GIFT University, while organisations such as OIC-COMSTECH, Sindh Higher Education Commission, Bahria University and University of South Asia contributed to policy discussions that advanced Pakistan higher education priorities.
At the opening session, Sumaira Rehman, Rector of Superior University and member of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, delivered a keynote and as the sole female keynote speaker stressed the importance of ethical leadership and values-driven education through her concept of Leading with Character. Her address resonated with delegates seeking to align academic programmes with societal and leadership needs.
High-level diplomatic and academic discussions included a meeting with Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education Turkey, where conversations focused on joint research initiatives, faculty and student exchanges, and collaboration opportunities within Türkiye’s “500 Research Projects Initiative”—a development that opens clear pathways for joint funding and research partnerships. The delegation also visited the D-8 Secretariat and met Secretary General Sohail Mahmood to explore enhanced academic cooperation among member states.
With participants from 61 countries and over 380 universities, EURIE 2026 offered Pakistan an important forum to advance internationalisation goals. The delegation’s engagements, bilateral meetings with Turkish universities and networking events hosted by APSUP and summit organisers have laid foundations for sustained partnerships that will strengthen Pakistan higher education through expanded research, mobility and innovation collaboration.
