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Hazara varsity, Japanese centre to conduct joint research

Bureau Report 2014-08-11
PESHAWAR: Hazara University, Mansehra and Japanese Centre for South Asian Cultural Heritage (JCSACH), Tokyo have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish links and promote research collaboration in the fields of archaeology, culture, history and heritage management.

Both the parties agreed to maintain close research cooperation among the scholars and affiliates of the two institutes and develop collaborative research projects in the areas of culture, history and archaeology.

According to a press release issued here on Sunday, Hazara University Vice-chancellor Dr Suhail Shehzad and Atsuchi Naguchi, the representative of JCSACH, signed the MoU on Saturday.

It said that the MoU was aimed developing academic and educational cooperation to promote mutual understanding between Pakistanand Japan.

The JCSACH will provide help in facilitation of fellowships, scholarships and short visits for researchers from Hazara University. Besides, both the organisations will exchange technical, scientific and academic information and material to work on various projects.

According to Dr Mohammad Zahir, head of department of archaeology and focal person for MoU at Hazara University, collaboration and mutual research projects with the leading organisations of the developed world would propel the department of archaeology as the leading research department of Pakistan in the fields of archaeology and heritage management.

He said that the MoU would be instrumental in initiating projects for the study, documentation, protection and promotion of their heritage. He said that Japan and Pakistan were linked by shared history, especially through Gandhara Buddhism. The MoU would revive similar linkages between the two countries, he added.

Atsuchi Naguchi said that it the first MoU signed by JCSACH with any organisation in Pakistan or any other country. He said that the MoU would be important in attracting Japanese technical and financial investment in Pakistan in the fields of archaeology and heritage management.