For Pakistan, Professor Manzoor Soomro’s recognition on this global stage was a source of immense pride.
In a remarkable celebration of international collaboration and academic excellence, Professor Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro, a distinguished Pakistani scholar, was bestowed with the esteemed Chinese Friendship Award during an exclusive ceremony held in Beijing, China.
Accompanied by his wife, Professor Soomro attended the event as a State Guest, a testament to his substantial contributions in bolstering ties between China and Pakistan, particularly within the framework of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the Belt and Road Initiative.
The award ceremony, which took place on September 27th, was followed by high-level meetings on the 28th, 2023, bringing together renowned experts from various corners of the globe, representing countries such as Argentina, Australia, Austria, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, the UK, the USA, and of course Pakistan.
These experts were honored with the Chinese Friendship Award, acknowledging their outstanding achievements and collaborative efforts with China in their respective fields.
A notable highlight of the occasion was a meeting with Premier Li Qiang, who personally addressed the award-winning experts, including Professor Soomro. Premier Li Qiang delivered a speech, expressing gratitude to the foreign experts and underscoring the vital importance of international cooperation and expertise exchange.
A poignant moment was captured with a group photograph featuring Premier Li Qiang and select members of the Chinese Communist Party Council, encapsulating the essence of the event.
Furthermore, the distinguished cohort of Friendship Award recipients had the unique privilege of attending a dinner hosted by His Excellency Xi Jinping, the Secretary-General of the CPC Committee and President of China.
This gathering served to cement the bonds of international friendship and collaboration among experts from across the world. President Xi, in his address, emphasized the significance of cooperation in the field of Science and Technology.
For Pakistan, Professor Manzoor Soomro’s recognition on this global stage was a source of immense pride. Over the past decade, he has dedicated himself to fostering cooperation and collaboration between scientists and engineers in both China and Pakistan, as well as between institutions in these two friendly nations and the ECO Region.
Professor Soomro’s contributions had been previously acknowledged in 2013 when he was honored with the French Republic’s prestigious “Order of Academic Palms,” an award with a legacy dating back to Napoleon Bonaparte in 1908, recognizing outstanding Academicians.
Beyond these accolades, Professor Soomro held the esteemed position of Founder President of the ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) and continues to guide the organization as an Advisor. He also served as Chairman of Pakistan Science Foundation. Additionally, he holds the title of Honorable Professor at two esteemed Chinese universities, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU) and China Agricultural University (CAU) in Beijing.
In his role as Vice President of the Belt and Road International Science Education Consortium (BRISEC), Professor Soomro played a pivotal role in organizing the annual Teenagers Maker Camps and Teachers Workshops in China since 2017.
The Professor’s far-reaching impact extends to his involvement on the governing and advisory boards/councils of numerous international institutions, further solidifying his recognition in the global scientific community.
In a fitting gesture, Professor Soomro presented Premier Li Qiang with a copy of their collaborative work, “ONE BELT ONE ROAD FUSION OF CIVILIZATIONS EDUCATION CURRICULUM,” aligning with President Xi Jinping’s Global Civilizations Initiative (GCI). This exchange symbolizes not only the recognition of Professor Soomro’s exceptional contributions but also the enduring spirit of cooperation between Pakistan and China.