Pakistan-China academic alliance deepens with Northwest A&F University delegation visit

KARACHI, May 7 (Gwadar Pro) - In a major stride towards enhancing educational, technological, and research collaboration between Pakistan and China, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan hosted a high-level academic delegation from Northwest A&F University, China, led by Professor Dr. Lixin Zhang, Chairman of the Silkroad Biohealth Agricultural Industrial Alliance.

The visit marks a milestone in strengthening bilateral ties in science, agriculture, and sustainable development, said an official statement issued here on Tuesday afternoon.

Welcomed by HEC Chairman Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, the Chinese delegation also included leading scholars-Prof. Liang, Prof. Limin, Prof. Sun, and Prof. Shi-who held productive talks with Pakistani academics. Among those present were Prof. Dr. Jamil (AWKUM VC), Prof. Dr. Zabta Khan Shinwari (VC, Federal Urdu University), and Prof. Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad (Director, Sino-Pak Biohealth Centre, QAU).

Central to their discussions was the establishment of a joint research laboratory at Quaid-i-Azam University, the training of 1,000 Pakistani students and researchers in Yangling, and facilitation of faculty exchange programs. The two sides also discussed technology transfer and joint research initiatives in food security, health innovation, environmental science, and sustainable energy.

The initiative aligns closely with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision to elevate Pakistan’s academic landscape and strengthen people-to-people ties with China.

As a flagship project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), this collaboration is set to accelerate innovation, agricultural productivity, and human capital development, key to both countries’ future growth.