Planning Minister's UK visit to help forge academic partnerships

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal will undertake a five-day visit to the United Kingdom from November 5 to 9, where he will sign memoranda of understanding between the University of Cambridge and Quaid-i-Azam University, and hold meetings with officials, academics, students, and members of the Pakistani diaspora, a statement issued on Monday said.

According to a press release issued by the Press Information Department, the “visit aims to advance the implementation phase of the ‘URAAN Pakistan’ vision, focusing on actionable partnerships, knowledge collaboration, and human capital development.” 

“During the visit, two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed, the first of which will be between the University of Cambridge and Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad,” the press release said.

The press release said that the “five-year academic partnership will open new avenues for research exchange, institutional collaboration, and joint innovation initiatives.” 

“An additional MoU will further strengthen cooperation in education, research, and technology — serving as a vital part of Pakistan’s implementation roadmap under URAAN Pakistan,” it said.

“The minister will hold meetings with public organizations to exchange knowledge on civil service reforms, and with academics, scholars, students, and members of the Pakistani diaspora to ignite action-oriented collaboration and consultation for sustainable development,” it added.

The minister is scheduled to “address the ‘URAAN Pakistan Conference’ at Oxford University, organized by the Oxford Pakistan Society, highlighting the importance of result-focused engagement with youth, experts, and researchers to connect policy, knowledge, and innovation, the statement said.

It added that the visit would conclude on November 9 with Iqbal Day celebrations at Trinity College, Cambridge, “where the timeless message of self-reliance, creativity, and action by Allama Muhammad Iqbal will be linked to Pakistan’s forward-looking development vision.”