ISLAMABAD, Dec 10: China’s Tianjin Foreign Studies University (TFSU) has launched a two-week Advanced Training Programme for senior Pakistani academics and higher education administrators, marking a fresh boost to the academic pillar of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The programme, held under the umbrella of the CPEC Consortium of Universities, was inaugurated at a ceremony attended by TFSU President Li Yingying, Vice President Zhu Pengxiao, senior Chinese education officials, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi, and HEC Director General (Global Engagement) Aayesha Ikram.
President Li said the initiative provides a vital platform for deepening educational cooperation, cultural exchange, and people-to-people interaction between the two countries. As AI reshapes global education and industry, she noted, the programme offers a timely opportunity for both nations to advance collaboration in AI learning, smart manufacturing, and innovation-driven teaching.
Representing Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission, Ms Ikram thanked the Chinese hosts and highlighted that China holds “a special place in the hearts of Pakistanis.” She praised China’s rapid progress in technology and higher education—areas where Pakistani universities are eager to enhance capacity through structured academic exchanges.
She noted that more than 300 Pakistani PhD scholars have completed studies in China through HEC scholarships, while thousands of faculty and researchers continue to engage in joint research, academic exchanges, and scientific partnerships made possible through CPEC.
Deputy Secretary-General of the China Association of Higher Education, Gao Xiaojie, said the training reflects the enduring “Iron-Brother” bond between the two countries. She recalled that the CPEC Consortium of Universities, established in 2017 with 18 institutions, has now grown to 130 member universities, expanding cooperation in AI, engineering, agriculture, medicine, social sciences, and cultural modernization.
With the Belt and Road Initiative entering its “High-Quality Development Era”, she added, both countries are prioritizing AI-enabled training, frontier scientific research, talent development, and practical collaboration in advanced fields.
In a video address, Ambassador Hashmi reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening higher-education partnerships with China, noting that CPEC has evolved into a robust platform for long-term academic, technological, and scientific cooperation.
The ongoing programme aims to equip a new generation of Pakistani academic leaders with expertise in AI integration, international education management, and next-generation research skills, further positioning Pakistan’s universities within China’s expanding global innovation ecosystem.