ISLAMABAD: A high-level delegation from Fudan University, China, visited COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) to explore cooperation in joint research, student and faculty exchanges, postgraduate education, academic programmes and cultural engagement.
The visit focused on building a more structured partnership between the two universities, with discussions covering scientific collaboration, joint supervision, faculty mobility and new opportunities for Pakistani students to pursue advanced research in China.
The Fudan delegation was accompanied by Dr. Zafar Uddin Mahmood, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative to China for Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation, and was received by CUI Rector Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar and senior university officials.
The delegation was led by Prof. Chen Yan, Associate Vice President and Executive Dean of Fudan University’s Graduate School.
During formal talks, representatives of the international offices of both universities presented overviews of their academic systems, research strengths, postgraduate programmes and international engagement.
The two sides discussed student exchanges, faculty mobility, collaborative research, joint academic programmes and regular cultural interaction as potential areas for long-term cooperation.
Dr. Zafar Uddin Mahmood said stronger engagement between leading Pakistani and Chinese universities could deepen academic, scientific and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Prof. Chen Yan highlighted Fudan University’s focus on postgraduate education, internationalisation and research, and said the university was interested in attracting talented international students to doctoral programmes in China.
The delegation also briefed CUI students on Fudan University’s JUSTCOOL doctoral programme, which currently offers opportunities in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
According to the university, the five-year programme is taught in English and aims to admit up to 90 international students annually.
Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar said COMSATS University Islamabad wanted to deepen cooperation with leading Chinese institutions through structured academic and research partnerships.
He noted that CUI is a member of the CPEC Consortium of Universities and said the platform could support stronger collaboration with institutions such as Fudan University.
The rector proposed making student and cultural exchanges a regular feature of cooperation, alongside faculty exchanges, joint supervision, collaborative research and postgraduate opportunities.
As part of the visit, the delegation toured the Junaid Zaidi Library and interacted with final-year students from Chemistry, Biosciences, Mathematics and Physics.
Students were briefed on postgraduate research opportunities in China and the structure, disciplines and admission pathways of the JUSTCOOL PhD programme.
Both universities agreed to remain in close contact and work towards converting the discussions into concrete academic initiatives.