ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT): The OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) convened the Annual Meeting of the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE) at its Secretariat in Islamabad, bringing together Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and senior representatives from leading universities across the OIC Member and Observer States.
This year’s meeting hosted nearly 30 international delegates representing universities from Iran, Somalia, Palestine, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Bangladesh, Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, in addition to several prominent institutions from Pakistan.
Speaking at the opening of the annual meeting, Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary warmly welcomed the participants and highlighted the significance of sustained academic linkages among higher education institutions across the Muslim world. He stressed that one of the foremost developmental challenges in OIC countries remains the limited pool of skilled professionals and workforce , a gap that must be addressed through strengthened tertiary education systems.
He noted that the global higher education landscape has evolved significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic, with new digital learning tools and hybrid education models improving access to skill-based training and short interactive learning programmes. “Collaborations, knowledge sharing, best practices, exchange of scholars, technology transfer, and joint academic programmes are vital for overcoming the educational challenges faced across the OIC region,” he remarked.
Earlier in the day, the meeting featured two technical sessions focusing on character mastery, future university models, and the evolving nexus between society, economy, and industry. Delegates engaged in structured brainstorming discussions led by senior international trainers and academic leaders. The sessions highlighted the need for competency-driven education, modern pedagogical tools, university–industry partnerships, and collaborative training programmes to prepare graduates for emerging global challenges.
The annual meeting also included a moderated open discussion on key thematic areas of CCoE cooperation, covering recitation of objectives, presentations on COMSTECH initiatives, brief introductory remarks by international and local CCoE universities, and consultations on the Plan of Action for 2026. Universities deliberated on expanding inter-university cooperation across faculty exchanges, student mobility schemes, senior management training opportunities, and joint research and innovation projects aimed at strengthening research ecosystems across OIC Member States.
Prof. Choudhary encouraged CCoE member universities to actively benefit from COMSTECH’s flagship programmes, including the Research Fellowship Programme, Distinguished Scholars Programme, COMSTECH Forum on Environment and Ecosystem Restoration, the Centre for Training and Research on AI and Emerging Technologies, and the OIC Technology and Innovation Portal. Details of these initiatives were shared in a comprehensive COMSTECH presentation later in the meeting.
Concluding his remarks, the Coordinator General reaffirmed COMSTECH’s continued commitment to supporting collaborative ventures and capacity-building initiatives across the CCoE network. He extended his best wishes for productive discussions and strengthened partnerships among the participating institutions.
The Annual Meeting served as a vital platform for reviewing progress, identifying future priorities, and deepening academic cooperation to promote scientific excellence and sustainable development across the OIC region.
