ISLAMABAD, MAY 22 /DNA/ – A 13-member delegation of academia from Bangladesh, led by Chairman University Grants Commission (UGC) Bangladesh Prof. Dr. Mamun Ahmed, visited the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Secretariat as part of an ongoing academic engagement programme between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Chairman HEC Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar and other senior officers of HEC warmly welcomed the distinguished delegates.
In a comprehensive session, the delegation was briefed on the mandate, achievements, and strategic initiatives of HEC Pakistan. On the occasion, senior HEC officers delivered detailed presentations on various aspects of Pakistan’s higher education system.
The Coordination Division presented an overview of HEC’s organisational framework and strategic functions, while the Academics & Accreditation Division briefed the delegation on the higher education landscape, access and expansion of higher education institutions, establishment of campuses, and recent policy reforms. The Quality Assurance Division shared insights into Pakistan’s Quality Assurance Framework and accreditation mechanisms, whereas the Information Technology Division highlighted initiatives related to digitisation and automation in higher education.
An interactive discussion was also held, during which both sides exchanged views on higher education governance, quality enhancement, research collaboration, digital transformation, and opportunities for future institutional partnerships between universities of Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Later, the delegation visited National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, where a guided tour of key academic and innovation facilities, including the Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS) and the National Science and Technology Park (NSTP) was arranged. The university officials briefed the delegation on NUST’s contributions to research, innovation, entrepreneurship, industry-academia collaboration, and technological advancement.
The engagement provided an opportunity for both sides to further strengthen academic relations and explore avenues for future collaboration in higher education, research, faculty development, and student engagement between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The visit reflects the shared commitment of both countries to promoting academic diplomacy, faculty collaboration, student exchange initiatives, and mutual learning in the higher education sector. It marks an important step towards deepening educational cooperation and enhancing people-to-people connectivity between the two brotherly countries.
