ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s drive to build knowledge-based economy gets another boost as Higher Education Commission (HEC) turned spotlight on CPEC Consortium of Universities, unveiling a stronger Pakistan-China academic partnership focused on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, green technologies and other future industries.
Chairing meeting of the Pakistani member universities of the CPEC Consortium of Universities, Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr. Niaz Ahmed Akhtar urged universities to adopt a more proactive and results-oriented approach in their engagement with Chinese counterparts, emphasizing that academic partnerships must now translate into meaningful achievements.
The high-level meeting reviewed the consortium’s progress and outlined future priorities for strengthening Pakistan-China educational collaboration. It was attended by HEC Executive Director Dr. Zia-ul-Haq, senior HEC officials, and vice chancellors and rectors representing universities from across the country.
During the session, HEC Director General (Global Engagement/CPEC Unit) Ayesha Ikram highlighted the remarkable growth of the CPEC Consortium of Universities, noting that since its establishment in 2017, the platform has expanded to include 93 Pakistani universities and 40 Chinese universities, creating one of the largest academic collaboration networks between the two countries.
She said the consortium has already delivered notable achievements, including the establishment of six China Study Centres, joint research grants, faculty and student exchange programmes, training and capacity-building initiatives, and stronger institutional linkages between universities in Pakistan and China.
Referring to feedback received during his recent visit to China, Dr. Niaz Ahmed Akhtar said that while numerous Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed over the years, the time has come to convert those agreements into concrete outcomes that benefit higher education, research and industry.
The HEC chairman identified artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, integrated circuits, biotechnology, public health, cybersecurity, agriculture, green technologies and other emerging industries as priority areas where the CPEC Consortium of Universities can play a transformative role in promoting joint research, innovation and knowledge exchange.
He observed that China’s rapid advances in technology, higher education, infrastructure and innovation offer valuable lessons for Pakistan and encouraged universities to make full use of the opportunities available through deeper collaboration with Chinese institutions.
With its growing membership and expanding research agenda, the CPEC Consortium of Universities is increasingly emerging as a key academic pillar of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, helping connect universities, researchers and students while supporting innovation, technology transfer and human resource development.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from HEC and member universities to transform the CPEC Consortium of Universities into a more dynamic platform capable of producing impactful research partnerships and strengthening the long-term strategic relationship between Pakistan and China.
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