Ambassador Dr. M. Nafees Zakaria, the Executive Director of COMSATS, met with China’s Vice Minister for Science and Technology, H.E. Zhang Guangjun, in Chongqing, China.
Ambassador Dr. M. Nafees Zakaria, the Executive Director of COMSATS, met with China’s Vice Minister for Science and Technology, H.E. Zhang Guangjun, in Chongqing, China.
During the meeting, they discussed mutual interests and explored opportunities to enhance cooperation within the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between COMSATS and MOST-China.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the inaugural Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange (BRST), which was jointly hosted by MOST, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and various governmental and provincial departments.
China, as one of the founding members of COMSATS, boasts two Centers of Excellence (CoE) affiliated with COMSATS: the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology (TIB) and the International Centre for Climate & Environmental Sciences (ICCES).
Additionally, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO) further strengthen the cooperative ties. The Minister emphasized the potential for even broader collaboration through increased institutional linkages.
The Vice Minister praised COMSATS for its active participation in the BRST event and acknowledged its efforts in promoting South-South Cooperation.
Ambassador Dr. M. Nafees Zakaria extended congratulations on the successful launch of BRST, which saw significant international participation. He expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by MOST to the COMSATS delegation.
The Executive Director also appreciated the leadership of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for their continuous support. He highlighted the alignment of COMSATS’ mandate with that of BRST, creating opportunities for collaboration.
Both parties identified areas of mutual interest, particularly in emerging technologies and scientific fields, and discussed the potential for cooperation. The Executive Director of COMSATS proposed fostering collaboration between academia and educational institutions, emphasizing its role in bringing people of diverse origins and cultures closer together.
Vice Minister Zhang welcomed these proposals and expressed a keen interest in furthering discussions.
The meeting exemplifies the shared commitment to strengthening scientific and technological cooperation between China and COMSATS, paving the way for fruitful collaboration in the future.