• CPEC Academic Cooperation: Chinese Delegation Visits COMSATS University Islamabad to Foster Academic Cooperation

• Delegtion of Chinese Academy of Sciences holds discussions with CUI team on promoting academic and research collaboration, partnerships in education

By Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia

Islamabad: Under the CPEC Academic Cooperation, a three-member delegation from the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Environmental Technology, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences – China including Prof Gan Zhang, Prof. Shizhen Zhao, and Prof Mo Yangzhi, visited COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) to explore areas of mutual collaboration.

The guests were welcomed by Prof Dr Athar Hussain, Head of the Department of Meteorology, Dr. Jabir Syed, Associate Professor of Meteorology, and Ms. Sadia Haider, Incharge China Study Center.

The purpose of the visit was to strengthen academic linkages and identify potential areas for joint research initiatives. Discussions focused on building on CUI’s existing partnerships with Chinese Academy of Sciences in promoting academic and research collaboration

The delegation was impressed by CUI’s state-of-the-art facilities, including its research centers and laboratories.

They expressed their admiration for the university’s infrastructure and resources, which they believed would provide a conducive environment for collaborative research and academic pursuits.

• Education as a Strategic Pillar of CPEC

Since its launch in 2013, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been widely recognized for its infrastructure, energy, and trade investments. Yet beneath the highways and power plants lies a quieter revolution—one built on classrooms, research labs, and academic diplomacy. Over the past decade, academic cooperation under CPEC has emerged as a strategic pillar, fostering mutual understanding, capacity building, and regional connectivity.

From joint research initiatives to scholarship programs and university linkages, CPEC has catalyzed a knowledge corridor that complements its physical infrastructure. This article chronicles the evolution of academic cooperation under CPEC from 2013 to 2023, highlighting its impact on higher education, innovation, and bilateral relations.

• Institutional Linkages under CPEC Academic Cooperation: Building Bridges Between Universities

One of the earliest manifestations of academic cooperation under CPEC was the establishment of institutional linkages between Pakistani and Chinese universities. Flagship partnerships included:

• Confucius Institutes in major Pakistani universities, promoting Chinese language and cultural exchange.
• MoUs between HEC Pakistan and Chinese Ministry of Education, facilitating joint degree programs and faculty exchanges.
• Collaborations between NUST, COMSATS, and Chinese universities on engineering, AI, and environmental sciences.

These partnerships enabled knowledge transfer, curriculum development, and collaborative research—particularly in areas aligned with CPEC’s strategic sectors such as transportation, energy, and urban planning.

🎓 Scholarships and Talent Mobility under CPEC Academic Cooperation

Between 2013 and 2023, thousands of Pakistani students pursued higher education in China under CPEC-linked scholarship schemes. Key initiatives included:

• Chinese Government Scholarships for Pakistani students in STEM, economics, and international relations.
• CPEC-specific scholarships offered by Chinese universities in provinces like Xinjiang and Sichuan.
• Short-term training programs for civil servants, engineers, and policy analysts.

This talent mobility not only enhanced Pakistan’s human capital but also fostered a generation of professionals fluent in both technical expertise and cross-cultural diplomacy.

🧪 Joint Research and Innovation Platforms Under CPEC Academic Cooperation

Academic cooperation under CPEC also extended to joint research centers and innovation platforms. Notable examples include:

• Pakistan-China Research Center on Belt and Road Studies at Punjab University, producing policy papers and regional analyses.
• Collaborative labs in Gwadar and Karachi, focusing on marine sciences, logistics, and climate resilience.
• Think tank partnerships, such as between SDPI (Pakistan) and Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, facilitating dialogue on sustainable development and regional integration.

These platforms enabled evidence-based policymaking and positioned academia as a stakeholder in CPEC’s long-term vision.

🗣️ Academic Diplomacy and Soft Power, Advancing Pakistan China Partnership

Beyond technical collaboration, CPEC academic cooperation played a vital role in soft power and public diplomacy. Conferences, seminars, and cultural exchanges helped shape narratives around CPEC and fostered mutual trust.

• Annual CPEC Academic Forums brought together scholars, diplomats, and media professionals to debate policy and perception.
• Joint publications and bilingual journals amplified research visibility across borders.
• Student-led initiatives, including Model BRI simulations and cultural festivals, deepened people-to-people ties.

Academic diplomacy thus became a bridge between strategic intent and societal understanding.

Impact Assessment: Achievements and Gaps

Academic Achievements:

• Over 28,000 Pakistani students studied in China between 2013–2023.
• More than 50 MoUs signed between Pakistani and Chinese universities.
• Establishment of 10+ joint research centers and academic platforms.

Gaps and Challenges for Further Boost Cooperation:

• Limited integration of research outputs into CPEC policy frameworks.
• Language and cultural barriers in joint academic projects.
• Need for greater funding and institutional autonomy in Pakistani universities.

Addressing these gaps will be crucial for sustaining and scaling academic cooperation in the next phase of CPEC.02.

As CPEC enters its second decade, CEPC academic cooperation remains a vital lever for inclusive development and strategic alignment. By investing in education, research, and cultural exchange, Pakistan and China are not just building roads—they are building relationships, ideas, and futures.

For policymakers, educators, and campaign strategists, the academic dimension of CPEC offers a blueprint for regional transformation rooted in knowledge, trust, and shared vision.