A high-level delegation of Turkish universities led by Ambassador of Türkiye to Pakistan İrfan Neziroğlu met with the Higher Education Commission Pakistan to discuss expanding academic and research cooperation across priority areas. The visit reinforced plans to deepen institutional links and practical programmes that benefit students, faculty and research infrastructure in Pakistan.
The delegation included Prof. Dr. Fatih Yılmaz of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Keleş of Adıyaman University, Prof. Dr. Fahrettin Göktaş of Fırat University and Prof. Dr. Mutlu Türkmen of Bayburt University alongside embassy officials. They held talks with Chairman HEC Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar and senior HEC officials to identify shared priorities and actionable steps for collaboration.
Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digitisation while promoting joint research in medicine, agriculture, physics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and social sciences. Language and cultural exchange featuring Urdu and Turkish were highlighted as important elements to support academic mobility and student integration.
Planned mechanisms to enhance collaboration include expanded student and faculty exchange programmes, joint research and innovation initiatives, conferences and summer exchange programmes, visiting scholar placements in specialised areas, joint and dual degree pathways and online learning modules across disciplines. These measures aim to build capacity in Pakistani universities and create sustainable research partnerships with Turkish institutions.
Delegates proposed creating a pooled roster of experts from both countries to collaborate on natural and biological sciences, social sciences, strategic studies, defence-related research and policy papers that address the evolving global landscape. The Chairman HEC and the Turkish Ambassador agreed to compile a list of qualified experts who could serve as visiting faculty to deliver both physical and online courses and to undertake collaborative research projects.
The Chairman reiterated HEC’s commitment to supporting the advancement of higher education and further strengthening longstanding brotherly relations with Türkiye, noting that practical cooperation with Turkish universities would accelerate research, innovation and skills development across Pakistan’s higher education sector.
