Enhancing Pak-Türkiye educational relationship
PAKISTAN and Türkiye enjoy a longstanding relationship, rooted in shared history, culture and religion. The two countries have made significant strides in various sectors, including higher education. Under the auspices of the Association of Private Sector Universities Pakistan (APSUP), a 34-member Pakistani delegation from 18 leading universities visited Istanbul, providing a golden opportunity to enhance bilateral relationships in higher education. It was the ever largest Pakistani delegation that visited Türkiye’s higher education sector. The delegation also participated in the annual Eurasia Higher Education Summit, organized by the Eurasian Universities Union, to discuss the current state and future of higher education in the region. The summit provides a platform for academic leaders and policymakers to share experiences, best practices and ideas to improve the quality of higher education and research in Eurasia. Earlier, a Pakistani delegation comprising vice-chancellors of Pakistani universities participated in the South Asia Higher Education Forum at Istanbul in 2019.
During the summit, the first-ever Pakistani Pavilion was set up, showcasing achievements, innovations and research contributions of Pakistani universities which included Superior University, University of Lahore, University of Faisalabad, University of Sialkot, International Institute of Science, Arts & Technology, University of Management and Technology, Institute of South Punjab, Iqra University, Preston University, Gift University, University of South Asia, Indus University, Benazir Bhutto Dewan University and Institute of Business and Management. The delegation engaged with other participants and explored opportunities for academic partnerships and collaborations. The Pakistani delegation met the representatives of leading Turkish universities, including Istanbul Aydin University, Yeditepe University, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul University and other leading universities. The delegation also invited leaders and representatives of international universities to the SEE Pakistan Expo in August 2023, an invitation was accepted by the leadership of Eurasian universities. The visit aimed to foster collaboration in the fields of research, innovation and entrepreneurship, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan-Türkiye relations.
One of the key areas of focus during the visit was promoting student exchange programs between Pakistan and Türkiye. The Pakistani delegation sought to establish partnerships with Turkish universities that would enable students from both countries to study abroad, exchange knowledge and ideas, gain exposure to new perspectives and cultures and enhance their academic and professional skills. In addition to student exchange programs, the delegation explored avenues for joint research projects and collaboration. Turkey has made significant investments in science and technology over the years and emerged as a leading player in the global research landscape. By partnering with Turkish universities and research institutions, Pakistani universities could benefit from the expertise and resources available in Türkiye, while contributing to joint research projects that could have a significant impact on both countries.
The visit also provided an opportunity to explore ways to enhance academic mobility between Pakistan and Türkiye. The delegation discussed establishing joint degree programs, enabling students to earn degrees from both Pakistani and Turkish universities, benefitting from the academic strengths of both countries and facilitating the exchange of knowledge and ideas between Pakistani and Turkish academic institutions.The Pakistani delegation also pledged more than 500 million PKR for earthquake-affected areas of Türkiye, spent on relief, rehabilitation and scholarships for students from affected areas. Several universities in Pakistan extended their support to earthquake-affected people of Türkiye, including Superior University, University of Lahore, University of Faisalabad, University of Sialkot, International Institute of Science, Arts & Technology, University of Management and Technology and others.
Chairman of APSUP, Prof Dr Abdul Rehman, who led the Pakistani delegation, along with Rector Superior University, Prof Dr Sumaira Rehman, handed over a cheque of 400,000 Turkish lira to Elif Aydin, Vice Chairman of the Board Anatolian Education and Cultural Foundation Türkiye. Speaking on the occasion, the President of Eurasian Universities Union, Prof Dr Mustafa Aydin, expressed gratitude to APSUP and the Pakistani nation for their continued support to the Turkish people, especially during hard times. Coordinator General of COMSTECH, Prof Dr M Iqbal Choudhary, who was also part of the Pakistani delegation, offered fully funded scholarships and research fellowships to Turkish nationals severely affected by the earthquake in collaboration with APSUP and member universities of the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence.
In conclusion, the recent visit of the Pakistani delegation to Istanbul has significantly enhanced the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Türkiye in the field of higher education. By promoting student exchange programs, joint research projects and academic mobility, both countries can benefit from each other’s strengths and expertise while contributing to the global knowledge economy. It is hoped that this visit will pave the way for deeper and more meaningful collaborations between Pakistani and Turkish universities in the years to come.
—The writer is Executive Director of the Association of Private Sector Universities Pakistan.
Email: iucpss_pk@yahoo.com
