Iranian Delegation Visits COMSATS University Islamabad, Strengthening Cultural and Academic Ties
Islamabad, July 3, 2024 – COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) had the honor of hosting a delegation from the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan, Islamabad, marking a significant step in enhancing cultural and academic collaboration between the two nations. The delegation, led by Mr. Majid Meshki, Cultural Counsellor, included Mr. Abdul Rahim Motahhari, Head of the Public Diplomacy Section, and Mr. Mosharaf Jafari, Interpreter.
They were warmly received by Dr. Hammad Omer, T.I., Head International Office along with university officials.
During the visit, Dr. Omer highlighted CUI’s notable achievements, including the completion of 11 Pak-Iran joint research projects and the recent MoU with D-8 International University of Iran. He also mentioned the ongoing collaborations with Sharif University of Technology, Iran, and expressed eagerness to host cultural events at CUI with the support of the Iranian Embassy.
Mr. Meshki commended CUI for establishing the Iran Books Corner, inaugurated in May 2024, which has become a symbol of the strong cultural ties between Pakistan and Iran. He announced the presence of a delegation from five Iranian universities in Islamabad, invited by HEC, and proposed their meeting with CUI officials to explore further collaborative opportunities. He also emphasized Iran’s commitment to facilitating reciprocal student and faculty exchange programs.
In a gesture of goodwill, the Iranian delegation donated a collection of books for the Iranian Book Corner. Dr. Omer expressed deep gratitude for this generous contribution and reaffirmed CUI’s dedication to fostering strong cultural and academic relationships with Iran.
The visit concluded with mutual expressions of goodwill and a firm commitment to future collaboration, reflecting the enduring friendship between Pakistan and Iran.
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Visit of Delegation from University of Narowal to Department of Physics CUI Islamabad
Delegation of Faculty and students from University of Narowal, visited Department of Physics CUI Islamabad on May 30, 2024. The Delegation was welcomed by Dr. Uzma Tabassum (In charge Graduate Program) along with Dr. Lubna Tabassum. Awais Ali (In charge Undergraduate Program(BPH), Dr. Zahid Imran and Mr. Ashraf Jilani(Admin Officer). A presentation was delivered to the delegation to enlighten about departmental facilities, offered programs, and a thorough introduction of the Campus and CUI. The delegation was also given a detailed tour of the departmental research labs and Junaid Zaidi library. The guests exceptionally admired the laboratory facilities, and academic standards maintained at CUI.
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Cardiff Metropolitan University to Strengthen Partnership with COMSATS University
Islamabad, May 17, 2024 — Dr. Fiaz Hussain, Associate Dean (International), Cardiff School of Art & Design, Cardiff Metropolitan University (Cardiff Met), UK also a Senior Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy, visited COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) on May 17, 2024.
The purpose of the visit was to deliberate upon strengthening the existing partnership established since January 31, 2023, with the signing of a Declaration of Understanding (DoU) between the two institutions. This DoU includes provisions for potential collaborations, such as joint research projects and publications, student and staff exchanges, capacity-building initiatives, and post-doctoral fellowships.
The meeting was attended by Prof. Dr. Shahida Mansoor, Dean, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Asst. Prof. Uzma Kabir, Head Department of Architecture, Mr. Fida Muhammad, Head Department of Art and Design, Dr. Muhammad Faisal Siddiqui, Convener, Collaboration and Outreach Committee (COC), Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Dr. Hammad Omer, Head International Office, and Mr. Ali Tawab Baloch, Senior Manager International Office.
They discussed various models for initiating tangible activities on a reciprocal basis. These were: conducting workshops for students, faculty-to-faculty interactions, and collaborations in the fields of art and design, computer science, artificial intelligence, engineering, management, and health sciences. To facilitate further interactions, it was decided that online meetings would be preferred to expedite the collaboration process.
Dr. Hussain delivered an interactive live session for COMSATS students to introduce a wide range of opportunities available in the UK, particularly at Cardiff School of Art & Design. The lecture attracted over 50 students, who raised numerous questions about educational opportunities in the UK. These questions were addressed with detailed and relevant information.
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COMSATS University Hosts H.E. Ambassador Akua Sekyiwa Ahenkora from Ghana
Islamabad, May 16, 2024 – The Coordinating Director of the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of Ghana, Ambassador Akua Sekyiwa Ahenkora, visited the COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) and called on the Rector, Prof. Dr. Sajid Qamar, on Thursday.
Ambassador Ahenkora is a prominent figure in Ghana's diplomatic landscape with extensive experience in international relations in various capacities. She was accompanied by Ms. Bridget Suglo Nambah, Assistant Director, and Ms. Iram Batool, Liaison Officer, Pakistan’s Foreign Service Academy. In attendance CUI officials were: Prof. Dr. Sajjad A. Madani, Registrar; Prof. Dr. Sohail Asghar, In-charge Islamabad Campus; Prof. Dr. Saqib Gulzar, Dean Faculty of Business Administration; Prof. Dr. Shahida Mansoor, Dean Faculty of Architecture and Design; and Mr. Ali Tawab Baloch, Senior Manager International Office.
CUI Head International Office, Dr. Hammad Omer, provided an overview of COMSATS University highlighting past engagements and potential opportunities with Ghana. Dr. Omer said that being a COMSATS Member State, Ghana can stand to benefit from the CUI offer of post-graduate scholarships by attracting bright students to the program.
Ambassador Ahenkora expressed her admiration for the achievements and milestones of the university. Various collaboration models, including academic partnerships, training of faculty, and cooperation in fields such as artificial intelligence, biomedical materials and development of infrastructures, which would benefit both nations, were discussed. The Rector offered brilliant Ghanaian students to join CUI on a funded program. He said that CUI values diversity and students from Africa have added values to various graduate programs in natural sciences and engineering.
Ambassador Ahenkora emphasized the importance of university-to-university collaboration between academicians of both countries including South-South cooperation. She requested that CUI to share collaborative proposals based on the discussions held during the visit to strengthen academic ties between Ghana and Pakistan.
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UK Higher Education Leaders Visit COMSATS University
Higher Education Leaders from UK along British Council officials visited COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) on Tuesday (April 23, 2024). The visit was aimed at building sustainable person-to-person and institution-to-institution contacts and collaborations with the British universities.
The delegation was on a visit to Pakistan from April 21 to 27 under the Pak-UK Education Gateway – a partnership project between HEC and the British Council. Delegates from the University of Glasgow, University of Salford, Cardiff University, University of London, Queen Mary University of London, Staffordshire University, University of Exeter, INTO University and Bangor University were part of the visit. Senior officials from the UK’s Department for Business and Trade, Department for Education and Office for Students and the British Council also accompanied the delegates.
Prof. Dr. Sajid Qamar, Rector of CUI welcomed the delegates on behalf of COMSATS University and shared the historic exchanges with UK that had contributed to the development of CUI as one of the leading institutions of learning in Pakistan. In his welcome address, Rector Prof. Dr. Sajid Qamar said, “CUI has had a longstanding affiliation with the universities in UK. It is really heartening to have UK Higher Education Leaders here to explore and potentially discover more opportunities and avenues where our faculty and students can be engaged with UK universities”. He thanked the Scottish Higher Education Trade Envoy for their cooperation in providing scholarships to female students of CUI.
Dr. Hammad Omer, T.I., Head International Office informed the delegates on CUI’s past engagements with the United Kingdom. He revealed that former Prime Minister of the UK, The Rt Hon Lord Cameron visited CUI in April 2011. Around 20 collaborative agreements have been signed with UK universities. Since its inception, over 190 delegates from UK higher education institutions have visited CUI, with over 110 CUI officials reciprocating visits to various research and development organizations and universities in the UK. One hundred fifty (150) UK Alumni are currently serving as faculty members, officers, and staff across all CUI campuses, further cementing the enduring bonds between our nations.
A memorandum of understanding on research cooperation between the University of Glasgow, Scotland, and COMSATS University was signed at the occasion. During the visit, the delegates interacted with the faculty and students. A certificate distribution ceremony for Scottish scholarship recipients for female students of CUI was also arranged by the university. Prof. Moyra Boland, Dean for Global Engagement – Central and South Asia on behalf of the Scottish Higher Education Trade Envoy and the UK delegation, said, “We are delighted to be here and very much looking forward to what we can achieve together. How we can conclude mutually beneficial partnerships together between the UK and Pakistan”.
Ms. Sarah Parvez, Head of Education, British Council Pakistan revealed that the British Council is planning to launch the second phase of the Pak-UK Education Gateway project in May 2024 as per the latest directive of the Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan. The project will develop collaboration between the UK universities and Pakistani universities. This will help create opportunities for students, faculty and for joint research.
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