Latest news with #COMSTECH
Arab News
2 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan hosts Bangladeshi academic delegation under OIC's scientific cooperation framework
ISLAMABAD: A seven-member delegation from Bangladeshi universities is currently visiting Pakistan to deepen academic and scientific cooperation between the two countries, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's coordinating body for scientific collaboration said on Thursday. Pakistan and Bangladesh, once a single country before the bloody 1971 war, have slowly begun rebuilding ties after last year's political upheaval in Dhaka, which saw the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid, long viewed as critical of Islamabad and aligned with New Delhi. She fled to India by helicopter after her administration's downfall in August 2024, with Dhaka now seeking her extradition. The ties between India and Bangladesh's interim government have become frosty, creating space for Islamabad and Dhaka to re-engage after decades of limited contact. 'The forum brought together a seven-member Bangladeshi delegation comprising vice chancellors and senior representatives from leading universities, and vice chancellors from 15 top Pakistani universities, which are part of COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence,' the OIC-COMSTECH said in a statement, adding that academics from Bangladesh are visiting Pakistan from June 16-21. The visiting delegation termed their ongoing visit as 'historical, highly productive and promising' for academic collaboration between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Vice chancellors from Pakistani and Bangladeshi universities held discussions aimed at deepening academic and scientific cooperation, it added. The meetings focused on expanding collaboration in key areas including student and faculty exchange programs, scholarship opportunities, joint research initiatives apart from sharing academic expertise. The participants of the meeting also agreed that each university would appoint a focal person to ensure effective follow-up on commitments made during the visit. Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Iqbal Hussain Khan, the chief guest at the event, praised COMSTECH for offering scholarships, organizing the visit and facilitating meaningful academic exchanges between higher education institutions of the two countries. In May, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar agreed to strengthen bilateral relationship with Bangladesh and maintain high-level contacts with its leadership. Pakistan's government launched a new program in December 2024 through which it will provide fully funded scholarships to 300 Bangladeshi students. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Bangladesh Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus in New York last year at a ceremony hosted by the Bangladeshi leader to mark the completion of 50 years of Bangladesh's membership in the United Nations. Both sides had agreed to forge stronger ties and enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields during their meeting.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan hosts seven-member Bangladeshi delegation to boost academic ties
ISLAMABAD: A seven-member delegation from Bangladeshi universities is currently visiting Pakistan to deepen academic and scientific cooperation between the two countries, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's coordinating body for scientific collaboration said on Thursday. Pakistan and Bangladesh, once a single country before the bloody 1971 war, have slowly begun rebuilding ties after last year's political upheaval in Dhaka, which saw the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid, long viewed as critical of Islamabad and aligned with New Delhi. She fled to India by helicopter after her administration's downfall in August 2024, with Dhaka now seeking her extradition. The ties between India and Bangladesh's interim government have become frosty, creating space for Islamabad and Dhaka to re-engage after decades of limited contact. 'The forum brought together a seven-member Bangladeshi delegation comprising vice chancellors and senior representatives from leading universities, and vice chancellors from 15 top Pakistani universities, which are part of COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence,' the OIC-COMSTECH said in a statement, adding that academics from Bangladesh are visiting Pakistan from June 16-21. The visiting delegation termed their ongoing visit as 'historical, highly productive and promising' for academic collaboration between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Vice chancellors from Pakistani and Bangladeshi universities held discussions aimed at deepening academic and scientific cooperation, it added. The meetings focused on expanding collaboration in key areas including student and faculty exchange programs, scholarship opportunities, joint research initiatives apart from sharing academic expertise. The participants of the meeting also agreed that each university would appoint a focal person to ensure effective follow-up on commitments made during the visit. Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Iqbal Hussain Khan, the chief guest at the event, praised COMSTECH for offering scholarships, organizing the visit and facilitating meaningful academic exchanges between higher education institutions of the two countries. In May, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar agreed to strengthen bilateral relationship with Bangladesh and maintain high-level contacts with its leadership. Pakistan's government launched a new program in December 2024 through which it will provide fully funded scholarships to 300 Bangladeshi students. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Bangladesh Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus in New York last year at a ceremony hosted by the Bangladeshi leader to mark the completion of 50 years of Bangladesh's membership in the United Nations. Both sides had agreed to forge stronger ties and enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields during their meeting.
Arab News
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
OIC's COMSTECH eyes enhanced academic collaboration between Pakistan, Bangladesh
ISLAMABAD: The OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) is organizing an upcoming visit by a high-level delegation of Bangladeshi universities to Pakistan next week, the global body said this week, as it aims to enhance academic collaboration between the two countries. The 10-member delegation will comprise vice-chancellors and senior officials from leading public and private sector universities of Bangladesh, COMSTECH said in a statement on Friday. The delegation is set to visit Pakistan from June 16 to 21. The visit is being organized at COMSTECH's invitation and is being facilitated by the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad, it said. 'The primary objective of the visit is to explore and enhance avenues of academic collaboration and institutional partnerships in the fields of higher education, science, and technology,' COMSTECH said in a press release. 'The delegation will participate in a series of high-level meetings, discussions, and interactive sessions with top Pakistani universities in Lahore and Islamabad.' It said that these Pakistani institutions are members of COMSTECH's Consortium of Excellence (CCoE), a collaborative network of premier universities dedicated to advancing scientific cooperation and educational excellence among OIC member states. 'This initiative reflects COMSTECH's continued commitment to fostering inter-university cooperation and strengthening academic ties across the Muslim world, particularly between Bangladesh and Pakistan,' the statement concluded. Ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh have improved recently. Once one nation, Bangladesh split from Pakistan after a brutal 1971 war with Dhaka drawing closer to Islamabad's arch-rival New Delhi over the years. However, long-time Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in August 2024 after her government was overthrown by a student-led protest. She fled via helicopter to India, with Dhaka attempting to extradite her. Relations between India and Bangladesh's interim government have been frosty since then, allowing Islamabad and Dhaka to rebuild ties slowly.
Business Mayor
26-05-2025
- Health
- Business Mayor
COMSTECH reaffirms commitment to advancing science and technology in Africa on African Day – Associated Press of Pakistan
– Advertisement – ISLAMABAD, May 25 (APP):COMSTECH, the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation Sunday extended its heartfelt solidarity and congratulations to African nations on the occasion of African Day and reaffirmed its deep commitment to strengthening science, technology, and innovation across the African continent. Since its establishment, COMSTECH has played a pivotal role in promoting scientific collaboration among OIC member states, with Africa as a key focus. Under the leadership of Coordinator General Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, during the last five years, COMSTECH has launched a wide array of initiatives aimed at building capacity, supporting research, enhancing health systems, and empowering youth and women throughout Africa. In his special message for African Day, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary stated,'Africa is not only a continent of vast potential and rich heritage. It is the future of global innovation. At COMSTECH, we are committed to harnessing the power of science and technology to enable sustainable development, nurture local talent, and build resilient communities throughout Africa.' COMSTECH's efforts have included hands-on training workshops in renewable energy, biotechnology, information and communication technologies, and environmental sciences. Through partnerships with institutions like TWAS, the University of Lahore, ICCBS, and HUCM, hundreds of African scholars have been awarded fully funded research fellowships, technical training, and academic degrees in Pakistan. In addition to academic support, COMSTECH has strengthened scientific research across Africa by funding collaborative projects that unite African universities with counterparts across the OIC. These projects tackle pressing challenges such as food security, public health, and climate resilience. Scientific conferences and seminars held in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and other countries have facilitated knowledge exchange and fostered long-term institutional partnerships. COMSTECH has also taken significant steps to improve health systems in African nations. A comprehensive five-year action plan includes disease surveillance training, health policy workshops, and virtual health networks. In cooperation with the Islamic Development Bank and LRBT, COMSTECH has organized cataract surgery camps in Niger, Chad, and Somalia, trained ophthalmologists in managing diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, and conducted specialized workshops on topics including leishmaniasis, neurology, and histopathology in cities such as Addis Ababa, Kampala, and Mogadishu. Efforts to support infrastructure development have led to the establishment of centres of excellence and Halal authentication laboratories, most notably at the Islamic University in Uganda and the provision of advanced scientific instruments in Mauritania and Chad. COMSTECH's expert missions have also helped restore and operationalize critical laboratory equipment. Women and youth are at the heart of COMSTECH's programs. Through mentorship schemes, scholarships, and the COMSTECH Youth Leadership Training initiative, young African professionals are brought to Islamabad to work on science and technology policy solutions. In Nigeria, a COMSTECH-IsDB initiative has advanced citrus processing technologies, while in The Gambia, a partnership with the Al-Khwarizmi Institute has resulted in the launch of a Master's in Computer Science curriculum and an ICT vocational training center. Between 2022 and 2024 alone, more than 70 African awardees benefited from fellowships and targeted programs, including those for Least Developed Countries (LDCs). To date, over 161 individuals from OIC and non-OIC African states have been supported through COMSTECH's diverse educational and training initiatives. Moreover, COMSTECH has covered travel costs for over 40 African scholars to participate in major conferences on topics such as neglected tropical diseases, precision agriculture, natural product chemistry, and water resource management. Under the COMSTECH-Gourmet Industrial Internship Program, young researchers from African countries were placed in various departments of the leading food industry of Pakistan, and more would be placed on a yearly basis. These wide-ranging and impactful initiatives reflect COMSTECH's unwavering commitment to advancing scientific capacity, fostering innovation, and enabling sustainable development across Africa through dedicated cooperation and strategic support.
Arab News
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
OIC's COMSTECH to hold International Water Conference in Islamabad this week
ISLAMABAD: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) will hold an International Water Conference in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on May 6–7, the committee said on Sunday, aiming to ensure sustainable management of water resources. The conference on 'Emerging Technologies for Water Security and Socio-Economic Development' will take place at the OIC-COMSTECH Secretariat Islamabad. It will convene researchers, practitioners, academicians, and policymakers from around the world to address critical issues related to water management and sustainability. Water security remains a critical issue for many OIC member states, while challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, pollution and inefficient resource management continue to threaten economic and social development. Pakistan is among countries with highest rate of water consumption in the world. Rainfall has steadily declined over the past few decades and experts have been warning for years the South Asian country will approach 'absolute scarcity' of water by 2025. 'The conference aims to foster in-depth discussions that will inform policy and practice, stimulate cross-sectoral collaboration, and promote innovative approaches for the sustainable management of water resources,' COMSTECH said on Sunday. 'Proceedings and a detailed post-conference report will be published to capture key insights, research findings, and actionable recommendations for long-term impact.' Pakistan witnessed drought conditions in several areas amid a below-normal rainfall deficit of 40 percent from Sept. 1 to Mar. 21, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department. There was an 'acute shortage' of stored water in the Tarbela and Mangla dams, while water in different rivers flowed at an 'extreme low level.' Pakistan's agriculture sector, which contributes nearly a quarter of Pakistan's gross domestic product (GDP) and employs 37 percent of the national labor force, uses the most amount of fresh water than any other sector. The South Asian country generally relies on water from the Indus river which bisects it from north to south, where it empties into the Arabian Sea. The water conference is being held at a time when Islamabad is facing a threat from India to suspend the 1960 World Bank-brokered Indus Waters Treaty, which ensures water for 80 percent of Pakistani farms, amid tensions between the two neighbors over an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists on April 22. Islamabad has described the move as an 'act of war' and said it would take 'all appropriate steps' to safeguard its due share of water. COMSTECH said the International Water Conference in Islamabad will provide a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative dialogue, with attendees engaging in academic presentations, interactive panel discussions, and specialized technical sessions. 'Over 80 scholarly papers will be presented under diverse sub-themes, including Environment and Climate Change, Food and Agriculture, Glaciology and Snow Hydrology, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Circular Water Economy, Policy and Governance, and Artificial Intelligence for Water Security,' it said. COMTECH is organizing the conference in collaboration with the Riphah Institute of Public Policy, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), Water Aid and the University of Haripur.
