Nearly 100 higher education institutions from China and Pakistan convened at Shenzhen University from June 15-16 for the 5th Exchange Mechanism Conference of the CPEC Consortium of Universities. The primary objective was to foster bilateral educational collaboration.
In his opening remarks, Shenzhen University President Mao Junfa emphasized the evolving role of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). “The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has expanded from an economic project into a platform for educational and technological exchange,” President Mao stated.
Bazai Zahoor Ahmad, leader of the Pakistani delegation and Vice Chancellor of the University of Balochistan, highlighted the consortium’s growth. He noted that membership has increased to 134 institutions (91 Pakistani and 43 Chinese) since its founding in 2017. Ahmad underscored future priorities, stating, “Our partnership… must now deepen collaboration in AI, agriculture, and healthcare.”
Scholars from institutions including Pakistan’s National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and Abdul Wali Khan University engaged in discussions centered on applied talent development, agricultural cooperation, and AI education initiatives. Naveed Razzaq, representing the University of Gwadar’s CPEC Study Center, commented on the event’s broader impact, noting its potential to strengthen ties specifically between Shenzhen and Gwadar.
Key outcomes from the conference included the official launch of a development report covering the period 2021-2024 and the establishment of a new think tank network. The consortium also confirmed further expansion of its membership since its previous conference in 2021.