A significant step towards the internationalization of KIU – a meaningful cooperation symposium and meeting focusing on cooperation amongst the partner institutions was held on August 16, 2024, at Kashgar University, China. The event brought together leaders from several prominent institutions, including Kashgar University, Karakoram International University, Kazakhstan’s National Eurasian University, Uzbekistan’s Tashkent State University of Economics, Kyrgyzstan’s National University, and Xinjiang Agricultural University.
The KIU delegation was represented by Dr. Rehmat Karim, Director of KIU Hunza Campus; Dr. Faqeer Muhammad, Director of the China Study Centre; and Dr. Sajjad Haider, Director International Office of KIU. This meeting served as a valuable platform for discussing collaborative opportunities, sharing academic insights, and fostering stronger ties among the participating universities. The discussions aimed to enhance educational partnerships, promote joint research initiatives, and deepen the exchange of knowledge and resources across these esteemed institutions.
The meeting was chaired by Guo Shaowen, a prominent member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee of Kashgar University and the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission. The symposium saw active participation from various key officials and directors at Kashgar University, including the Director of the International Exchange Office, the Head of the School of Tourism and Management, the Head of the School of Economics and Management, and the Head of the School of Humanities among others. The leaders engaged in insightful discussions, contributing their expertise to the collaborative efforts and exploring avenues for enhanced academic partnerships.
Representing the Vice Chancellor of KIU, Dr. Rehmat Karim provided a comprehensive introduction to KIU, detailing its wide array of academic programs and emphasizing the university’s steadfast dedication to educational excellence. He elaborated on KIU’s strategic vision, which focuses on fostering innovation, research, and global collaboration to elevate educational standards in the region.
Highlighting the KIU’s commitment to internationalization, the Director International Office of KIU underscored the initiatives, programs and steps taken to forge academic collaborations with various universities in China and beyond. He highlighted the historical and deeply rooted connections between Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan and Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang Province, stressing the importance of developing a robust, long-term, and meaningful collaboration between KIU and Kashgar University. This partnership, he noted, holds significant potential for enhancing academic exchanges, joint research projects, cultural exchange and language promotion and fostering a deeper understanding between the two regions.
The Director China Study Centre shed light on myriads of events and activities conducted at KIU to further strengthen bilateral relations between Pakistan and China. He highlighted the crucial role universities may play in fostering better understanding and cooperation among nations.
The symposium concluded with all participating institutions expressing strong commitments and a shared resolve to establish and strengthen academic collaboration and cooperation. The representatives emphasized the importance of learning from one another to mutually grow and flourish, setting a solid foundation for future partnerships
