Two leading Pakistani academic institutions—the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and the University of Sargodha (UoS)—recently welcomed high-level Chinese delegations to advance cooperation in sustainable technologies, vocational training, and research innovation. The engagements underscored a growing partnership under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), emphasizing green development and industrial transformation.
At NUST, the *Green and Low Carbon Summit*—co-hosted by NUST, COMSTECH, and the Sino-International Entrepreneurs Federation (SIEF)—united Chinese and Pakistani researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders to strategize sustainable development pathways. Dr. Rizwan Riaz, Pro-Rector of Research, Innovation & Commercialization at NUST, inaugurated the event by highlighting the university’s research ecosystem. “Strengthening bilateral collaboration in green innovation and low-carbon technologies is critical for shared economic resilience,” he stated, referencing NUST’s prior successes with Chinese academic and industrial partners.
Prominent Chinese scholars delivered keynote addresses, with Professor Dr. Huanzheng Du emphasizing green technologies as a “catalyst for economic growth.” Academician Xiong Jian explored breakthroughs in net-zero carbon construction and next-gen energy systems, while Dr. Chen Yang advocated for circular economy models to bridge research and industry. Dr. Jin Jianhai outlined strategies for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to adopt sustainable practices. A panel discussion later identified opportunities for cross-border partnerships in renewable energy and eco-industrial practices. Delegates also toured NUST’s National Science and Technology Park (NSTP) and School of Interdisciplinary Engineering & Sciences (SINES), engaging with startups spearheading Pakistan’s clean-tech sector.
Concurrently, the University of Sargodha hosted a three-member Chinese delegation led by Ms. Hong Yan Niu, Director of the Belt and Road Special Committee. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas welcomed the team, joined by Prof. Dr. Ijaz Asghar (Director of External Linkages) and Prof. Dr. Tahir Mumtaz Awan (Director of the Pakistan Institute of China Studies). Discussions centered on joint R&D initiatives, youth-focused vocational training programs, and plans for a technology center dedicated to community-driven innovation. Ms. Niu praised UoS’s academic infrastructure, stating, “We see immense potential for transformative partnerships that align with BRI’s vision of shared progress.”
Both institutions solidified commitments to long-term collaboration, reflecting broader Sino-Pakistani efforts to integrate technological advancement with sustainable development goals.
