Dhaka — COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) has announced faculty development scholarships for Bangladesh Medical University and the University of Rajshahi during the South Asian Regional Conference on Higher Education (SARCHE 2026), held in Dhaka.
Rector Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar, representing Pakistan as part of the Higher Education Commission’s delegation of Vice Chancellors, extended the offer of ten postgraduate scholarships per university for faculty members. The initiative aims to strengthen academic partnerships and promote faculty and student exchanges between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Academic collaboration and biomedical cooperation
In meetings with Prof. Md. Shahinul Alam, Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh Medical University, and Prof. Dr. Saleh-Hasan-Naqib, Vice Chancellor of the University of Rajshahi, discussions focused on enhancing regional collaboration in research and developing new academic linkages.
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It was agreed that CUI’s commercialized biomedical products, KytoStat and KytoGraft, will be provided to Bangladesh Medical University for testing and evaluation. Officials noted the collaboration could contribute to improved healthcare outcomes and socio-economic benefits as a goodwill initiative from Pakistan.
Focus on AI-driven research
The discussions also emphasized new models of research collaboration, particularly the use of Artificial Intelligence to identify research gaps, optimize resources, and address socio-economic and healthcare challenges across South Asia. Both sides expressed interest in building collaborative, data-driven frameworks to improve the quality and impact of regional research.
Conference highlights
SARCHE 2026 has brought together more than 30 international delegates from countries including Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom, along with senior officials from the World Bank.
The three-day conference features eight thematic sessions. The first day focused on governance, quality, inclusion, and research innovation. The second day addressed AI integration, digital transformation, industry–academia collaboration, graduate employability, and regional cooperation. The final day will discuss gender issues in higher education before adopting the “Dhaka Higher Education Declaration.”
The conference was inaugurated by Nobel Laureate Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser to the Government of Bangladesh.
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