ISLAMABAD: Ethiopian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Oumer Hussien Oba has called for stronger university-to-university cooperation between Ethiopia and Pakistan, with artificial intelligence, digital transformation, academic exchanges and knowledge sharing identified as key areas for expanding bilateral educational ties.
The ambassador made the remarks during a visit to COMSATS University Islamabad, where he met Rector Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar and senior university officials to discuss a broader framework for institutional collaboration with Ethiopian universities.
During the meeting, Ambassador Oba emphasised Ethiopia’s interest in what he described as the “sharing of minds,” saying closer academic engagement could create meaningful opportunities for students, researchers and higher education institutions in both countries.
The discussions focused on artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, digital governance, faculty cooperation, sustainability, joint research and stronger institutional linkages.
Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar briefed the ambassador on COMSATS University’s growing work in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, including potential cooperation linked to the National Center of Artificial Intelligence.
He said universities needed to prepare for the next technological frontier, where artificial intelligence would increasingly converge with engineering, cybernetics, quantum computing and quantum-resilient technologies.
Digital transformation of higher education emerged as another major area of discussion.
Ambassador Oba appreciated COMSATS University’s progress in digitising university governance and service delivery and expressed interest in sharing such experience with Ethiopian institutions.
The rector also proposed facilitating interaction between COMSATS University and a delegation of Ethiopian vice chancellors to promote digital knowledge sharing and allow Ethiopian universities to benefit from CUI’s experience in technology-enabled governance.
The two sides also discussed possible faculty cooperation, including academic exchanges and linkages with Addis Ababa University and other Ethiopian higher education institutions.
As part of the broader cooperation framework, Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar also expressed willingness to offer 20 tuition-free scholarships to Ethiopian students, with the modalities to be finalised under a proposed institutional arrangement.
The ambassador highlighted Ethiopia’s focus on renewable energy, environmental protection and large-scale tree plantation, while appreciating COMSATS University’s green-campus initiatives and its efforts to link digitisation with environmental sustainability.
Following the meeting, Ambassador Oba planted an Araucaria tree at the COMSATS Islamabad Campus as a symbolic gesture reflecting the growing partnership in education, science, technology and sustainability.
The Ethiopian delegation included Minister Counsellor Melaw Getachew, Public Diplomacy Officer Chalachew Eshitei and Business Promotion Officer Naveed Ahmed.