Pakistani Academics Complete Advanced Training in China under CPEC Framework

CT Report 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) announced on Thursday that 24 senior academics from universities across the country have successfully completed a specialized training programme in China aimed at strengthening academic capacity and bilateral cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The two-week Advanced Training Programme was conducted at Tianjin Foreign Studies University and organized under the CPEC University Consortium, a joint platform established by the HEC and the China Association of Higher Education to promote institutional collaboration.

According to the HEC, the training focused on key emerging domains such as artificial intelligence in education, intelligent manufacturing, and the digital transformation of higher education systems. The initiative seeks to enhance research cooperation, develop academic talent, and foster closer institutional linkages between Pakistan and China.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Tianjin Foreign Studies University President Li Yingying said the programme provided participants with an opportunity to engage with technological innovations and explore practical strategies for integrating digital transformation within their universities. She noted that the initiative also aligns with commemorations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

HEC Director General for Global Engagement Aayesha Ikram said the programme reflects the commission’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the quality, inclusivity, and global competitiveness of Pakistan’s higher education sector. She added that the organization of a second training programme within a short span highlights growing mutual trust and expanding academic cooperation.

Gao Xiaojie, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Association of Higher Education, emphasized the consortium’s role in promoting joint research, academic exchange, and institutional capacity building in emerging technological fields.

Representing the participants, Dr. Abdul Samad from the University of Loralai said the training offered valuable exposure to China’s advancements in digital higher education and provided practical insights that could be applied within Pakistani universities.

The CPEC University Consortium continues to serve as a key platform for strengthening academic partnerships and supporting educational cooperation in line with the broader objectives of the CPEC initiative.