China, Pakistan boost higher education ties

Attendees at the fifth Exchange Mechanism Conference of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Consortium of Universities called for enhanced higher education cooperation between China and Pakistan. The conference was held yesterday at Shenzhen University’s (SZU) Yuehai Campus.

Attendees pose for a photo at the fifth Exchange Mechanism Conference of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Consortium of Universities. Photos courtesy of SZU

Naveed Razzaq, a conference attendee representing the CPEC Study Center and the University of Gwadar, emphasized the event's significance as a platform for addressing challenges and advancing bilateral collaboration.

"I hope to see strengthened ties between Gwadar and Shenzhen, as such partnerships will benefit both cities," Razzaq stated.

This was the first time Shenzhen hosted the event. It was also Razzaq's first visit to the city, and he noted that Pakistan could draw valuable lessons from Shenzhen’s industrialization model.

"We can also learn from SZU‘s educational approach, which cultivates talent to drive urban development, and adapt these practices in Pakistan," he added.

Muhammad Irfan Hussain, a Pakistani postdoctoral fellow at SZU's College of Mechatronics and Control Engineering since last October, highlighted Shenzhen's growing appeal among Pakistani students due to its advanced research facilities, distinguished faculty, and comprehensive scholarship programs.

The conference featured the release of the "Annual Development Report of the CPEC Consortium of Universities Exchange Mechanism (2021-2024)" and the establishment of the CPEC Consortium of Universities Exchange Mechanism Think Tank Network.

It also welcomed new member universities from both nations, including SZU, since the fourth session was held in 2021.

Attendees pose for a group photo at the fifth Exchange Mechanism Conference of the CPEC Consortium of Universities, held at Shenzhen University’s Yuehai Campus.

Attendees and guests shared insights on strengthening the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between China and Pakistan, as well as enhancing youth exchanges, during two parallel forums held today.

Established in 2017 at Fudan University, the exchange mechanism has expanded from 18 to 134 member institutions (43 Chinese and 91 Pakistani) that collectively work toward CPEC’s high-quality development and a shared future for higher education in China and Pakistan.

According to the latest data from China's Ministry of Education, China hosts over 28,000 Pakistani students, ranking Pakistan as China's third-largest source of international students after South Korea and Thailand.