A 45-member Pakistani academic delegation made a high-impact appearance at the Eurasia Higher Education Summit (EURIE) 2026 in Istanbul, representing a coordinated effort under the Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan. The delegation signalled Pakistan higher education’s growing global outlook and readiness to expand international partnerships.
Chaudhry Abdul Rehman led a team that included chairmen of boards of governors, presidents, vice chancellors and senior academic leaders from 17 leading universities and organisations. Participating institutions ranged from Superior University, University of Lahore and University of Faisalabad to University of Sialkot, Lahore Leads University, Iqra University, Riphah International University, Preston University, City University, CECOS University, Institute of Business Management and GIFT University, alongside active engagement from OIC-COMSTECH, Sindh Higher Education Commission, Bahria University and University of South Asia.
The Pakistan Pavilion emerged as the largest at the summit and drew consistent international attention, effectively showcasing research strengths, innovation capacity and the country’s talent pipeline. The pavilion became a focal point for exchanges, attracting university leaders and delegations from around the world and resulting in several Memorandums of Understanding that pave the way for collaborative research, student mobility and joint programmes.
Sumaira Rehman, Rector of Superior University and a member of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, delivered the keynote at the inauguration as the sole female keynote speaker. She stressed the importance of developing ethical and responsible leaders and introduced the concept Leading with Character as central to a values-driven education system that Pakistan higher education aims to promote.
The delegation held strategic discussions to deepen ties with Türkiye, meeting Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education Turkey, to explore joint research and academic exchanges including Türkiye’s 500 Research Projects Initiative. A productive visit to the Secretariat of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation included a briefing from Secretary General Sohail Mahmood and conversations focused on enhancing academic collaboration and knowledge sharing among member states.
With participation from 61 countries and more than 380 universities, EURIE 2026 provided Pakistan higher education a prominent platform to shape its international agenda. Engagements with leading Turkish universities and high-level networking events hosted by APSUP and the summit organisers have laid groundwork for sustained cooperation in education, research and innovation that will benefit Pakistani institutions and students in the years ahead.
