The Federal Minister of Planning and Development visited Urumqi and received a warm welcome from the vice president of Xinjiang University and Pakistani students on campus. During the visit, Professor Ahsan Iqbal proposed a formal academic and research partnership between Xinjiang University and Karakoram International University Gilgit to strengthen exchange of knowledge and research between the border regions of Xinjiang and Gilgit Baltistan.
The vice president of Xinjiang University welcomed the proposal and agreed to work on a joint roadmap for collaboration. The proposed partnership will focus on academic exchanges, joint research projects and stronger institutional links to address shared regional challenges and opportunities.
The Federal Minister was given a detailed briefing on the university’s history, academic departments, founding members, faculty and ongoing research activities. The briefing highlighted the institution’s industrial linkages and how its work aligns with national development goals, noting that government research funding is directed by development priorities while the university secures 40% of its research support from industry, demonstrating a robust academia‑industry model.
Officials said the Xinjiang University and Karakoram collaboration could open a new chapter in educational cooperation across Pakistan‑China border areas, facilitating student mobility, joint studies and research that respond to both regional development needs and national priorities. Work on a practical timeline and joint programmes was agreed to be the next step.
