ISLAMABAD (UNA) – A 24-member delegation comprising presidents and directors of 11 prominent universities in Kazakhstan visited the Secretariat of the Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (COMSTECH) in Islamabad, with the aim of enhancing and exploring prospects for academic and scientific cooperation.
During the visit, COMSTECH Coordinator General, Professor Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Chaudhry, emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral academic relations through collaborative initiatives aimed at addressing national challenges and common issues among OIC member states.
Chaudhary proposed organizing a forum of university presidents from Kazakhstan and Pakistan in November 2025 in Islamabad, aiming to strengthen long-term partnerships between the two countries' universities. The proposal received broad support from representatives of visiting universities, and it was agreed to hold the first session of the forum.
In solidarity with the Palestinian people, Dr. Chaudhary called on the delegation to support the COMSTECH Fellowship Program for 5000 Palestinians, describing the program as a shared commitment to a critical humanitarian cause.
Chaudhry also proposed to provide 30 annual academic mobility grants to support short-term research and teaching visits between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.
For its part, the visiting delegation expressed its responsiveness and cooperation with COMSTECH, particularly since the meeting included discussions on strategies to raise the rankings of universities in OIC member states, improve their academic standards, ensure mutual recognition of degrees, and facilitate visa procedures for students and researchers.
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