German Ambassador HE Martin Kobler has said that he is deeply impressed with and is in love with Pakistan due to the warm hospitality he always received from the Pakistani people and the heritage-rich beautiful landscape of the country.
He made these remarks during his visit to Air University, Islamabad. On the occasion, the German envoy was warmly welcomed by the Vice Chancellor, Deans, Directors, HoDs, faculty members and a large number of students.
The ambassador, during his visit, admired the state-of-the-art building and an overall aura of modernity by labeling it as a “modern”, “friendly” and “green” University which is right way headed into the future. Advising the students intending to apply for Masters and PhD admissions in German Universities and subsequently for a German visa, he said that they should apply for admissions and then for visa as early as possible.
He also advised that after booking a visa appointment students must show up for visa interview and make sure that they brought with them all required documents. “Otherwise, a new visa appointment may take as long as six weeks,” Kobler said.
While answering a question, the ambassador regretted that Pakistan’s present input to research and education was not adequate enough which was evident from the fact that a nation armed with nuclear weapons was surprisingly not even able to produce export quality bicycles and relied heavily on imports from other countries for even such minor commodities.
The reason for such deficiency, according to him, was definitely not a lack of potential, but a lack of serious and focused approach. He assured that Germany was ready to support and cooperate in various areas of development in order to empower Pakistani youth and make Pakistan leap forward in the 21st century.
The German ambassador, during a lively question and answer session, showed a strong desire to further strengthen bilateral relations by enhancing cooperation especially in the areas of youth development & education, climate change & energy, and modern economy. On the occasion, Ms. Inge Iqbal, Director German Academic Exchange (DAAD) in Pakistan also explained different opportunities available for academic and research collaboration between Pakistan and German universities.