OIC Universities Resolve to Foster Academic Cooperation
— January 22, 2025
ISLAMABAD (AIA) Higher education leaders from top universities of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states have resolved to enhance inter-university collaboration in critical fields, including science, technology, health, and education, to address challenges facing the Muslim Ummah.
The annual meeting of the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE) was held at OIC-COMSTECH headquarters on Wednesday, with participation from vice chancellors, rectors, and senior representatives of OIC member states, such as Palestine, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Oman, Jordan, Pakistan, and others. A high-level delegation from China, led by Prof. Dr. Zhao Yufen of Ningbo University, also attended the session.
COMSTECH presented a two-phased action plan focused on improving university rankings through reforms in education. The plan aims to strengthen Institutional Quality Assurance Frameworks (IQAF) and build institutional capacity to enhance the global visibility of universities in OIC member states.
Speaking at the event, Coordinator General of COMSTECH, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, highlighted the consortium’s objectives and key initiatives for fostering collaboration among OIC nations. Presentations were also delivered on the COMSTECH Inter-Library Network, improving university rankings, and Sino-COMSTECH collaboration in science and technology.
The meeting adopted an action plan for 2025, prioritising capacity building, restructuring Palestine’s education sector post-conflict, joint projects, and establishing permanent mechanisms for sharing expertise. The participants expressed solidarity with Palestine and pledged support for rehabilitation in its education sector.
Prof. Dr. Zhao Yufen, the guest of honour, emphasised the significance of Sino-COMSTECH collaboration, while other speakers, including Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar of Quaid-i-Azam University and Prof. Dr. Aftab Ahmed Maroof of FAST, also addressed the gathering.