Irish Ambassador Meets HEC Chairman to Discuss Higher Education Collaboration
— October 9, 2024
ISLAMABAD (AIA) Mary O’Neill, Ireland’s first resident ambassador to Pakistan, met with Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, in Islamabad on Tuesday. The meeting, attended by representatives from University College Dublin, the National University of Ireland, and Dublin City University, focused on enhancing collaboration between the two nations in the higher education sector.
During the discussion, Ambassador O’Neill shared updates on the opening of Ireland’s first embassy in Pakistan and praised the Pakistani community’s contributions in Ireland, particularly in the fields of medicine and social services. She emphasised the importance of furthering educational ties between the two countries.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed reaffirmed HEC’s commitment to fostering partnerships with Ireland, with a focus on the mutual recognition of qualifications, enhancing student and faculty mobility, and creating scholarship opportunities for Pakistani students. The Chairman also underscored the potential for joint research projects addressing critical issues such as climate change, water conservation, food security, and artificial intelligence.
Ambassador O’Neill expressed gratitude for the Chairman’s ongoing support in advancing educational and scientific cooperation between Ireland and Pakistan.