The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, the Secretariat of the CPEC Consortium of Universities, and the College of International Cooperation and Education at Harbin Engineering University have co-organised the China-Pakistan Youth Forum. Held under the theme “The Future of China-Pakistan Cooperation: Interdisciplinary Perspectives,” the academic event took place as part of the 6th Exchange Mechanism Conference of the CPEC Consortium of Universities.
Interdisciplinary Dialogue Across Nine Academic Hubs
Connecting participants at Harbin Engineering University in China with eight major Pakistani higher education institutions, the forum convened approximately 200 faculty members and graduate researchers, predominantly doctoral and master’s scholars. Nine young scholars and PhD candidates from Pakistan and China presented specialized research papers focusing on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and cross-border academic collaboration.
The forum established direct inter-provincial academic connectivity across Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan through eight participating Pakistani institutions:
- COMSATS University Islamabad
- University of Sargodha
- NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi
- Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), Quetta
- University of Sindh, Jamshoro
- Hazara University, Mansehra
- Karakoram International University, Gilgit
- Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar
Key Details: China-Pakistan Youth Forum & Research Initiative
| Forum Title | China-Pakistan Youth Forum: “The Future of China-Pakistan Cooperation: Interdisciplinary Perspectives” |
| Institutional Framework | 6th Exchange Mechanism Conference of the CPEC Consortium of Universities |
| Co-Organisers | HEC Pakistan, CPEC Consortium Secretariat, and Harbin Engineering University |
| Participating Network | Harbin Engineering University (China) linked with 8 Pakistani universities across 9 venues |
| Delegates & Presenters | ~200 faculty members, PhD scholars, and master’s students; 9 featured scholar presentations |
| Flagship Announcement | Bilateral Call for Papers commemorating the 75th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations |
| Priority Fields | Digital technologies, space programmes, clean water, energy security, engineering, and vocational training |
Priority Focus: Space Programmes, Digital Tech, and Energy Security
Deliberations during the forum centered on deploying university-level research to solve practical bilateral challenges. Working sessions addressed strategic technological priorities, notably digital systems, space programmes, advanced engineering, and vocational education. Participants also tackled pressing developmental imperatives, including clean drinking water, renewable energy security, climate sustainability, and technology entrepreneurship.
Announced Opportunity: 75th Diplomatic Anniversary Call for Papers
As a principal outcome of the conference, organisers formally announced a bilateral call for research papers commemorating the 75th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations. The initiative invites young researchers, PhD candidates, and faculty members from universities in both countries to submit scholarly work examining bilateral development, economic corridors, and institutional cooperation.
Concrete Impact for Pakistani Scholars and Students
For Pakistani postgraduate scholars, the expansion of the CPEC Consortium of Universities framework provides actionable pathways toward joint scientific publications, international laboratory exposure, and institutional exchange. By incorporating institutions from Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alongside metropolitan engineering universities, the initiative broadens international research access for early-career scholars across Pakistan.
Source: Originally reported by HEC Pakistan.
Source: Originally reported by HEC Pakistan.
Source: Higher Education Commission