ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT ): A high-level 24-member delegation comprising Rectors and heads of 11 prominent universities from Kazakhstan visited the OIC-COMSTECH Secretariat in Islamabad to explore avenues for academic and scientific collaboration.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH, warmly welcomed the delegation and highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral academic ties through collaborative initiatives aimed at addressing national challenges and shared issues among OIC member states.
In a significant development, Prof. Choudhary proposed to organize the Kazakhstan-Pakistan Rectors Forum during November 2025 in Islamabad. The forum aims to foster long-term partnerships between universities of the two countries. The proposal was overwhelming supported by the representative of visiting universities. Based on this, it was decided to hold the 1st Kazakhstan-Pakistan Rectors Forum.
Emphasizing solidarity with the Palestinian people, the Coordinator General called upon the Kazakhstani delegates to support the COMSTECH 5000 Fellowship Program for Palestinians, terming it a shared obligation toward a vital humanitarian cause.
The visiting delegation expressed appreciation for COMSTECH’s hospitality and showed keen interest in future collaborative ventures. Discussions during the meeting included strategies to enhance the global rankings and academic standards of universities from OIC member states, mutual recognition of degrees, and easing the visa process for students and researchers.
In a bid to deepen academic exchange, Prof. Choudhary also proposed 30 annual mobility grants to facilitate short-term research and academic visits between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.
The visit marks a promising step forward in strengthening higher education and scientific cooperation between Kazakhstan and Pakistan under the broader umbrella of OIC-COMSTECH initiatives.
