KARACHI: Avenues for strengthening Pakistan-China cooperation in higher education, research, innovation, cultural exchange and institutional collaboration were discussed in a meeting between Karachi University (KU) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Wasim Qazi and Consul General of China Feng Deheng here on Tuesday.

The meeting focused on translating the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and China into tangible academic and scientific achievements, particularly as the two countries approach the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations and KU prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary.

Prof Qazi emphasised that these historic milestones offered a unique opportunity to establish enduring initiatives that would strengthen academic ties and create a lasting legacy of bilateral cooperation.

Consul General Feng affirmed the positive role played by KU and its Confucius Institute in promoting educational cooperation between China and Pakistan. He stated that China is willing to expand cooperation in areas such as academic exchanges, joint research, and Chinese language teaching, and enhance mutual understanding and affinity between the two peoples.

A key proposal discussed during the meeting was the establishment of a Pakistan-China Centre for ArtificialIntelligence and Cybersecurity at KU.

Vice Chancellor Qazi informed the consul general that a building was already available at the university for the proposed centre. Mr Feng appreciated the proposal and expressed enthusiasm about exploring its establishment.

The proposed centre would provide a platform for collaborative research, technological innovation, capacity building, faculty development and student training in emerging fields of strategic importance.

The discussions also explored expanding the role of the Institute of Confucius at KU beyond language instruction to encompass Chinese culture, academic engagement, institutional partnerships and people-to-people exchanges.

The KU VC also proposed joint research programmes in agriculture, biotechnology, food technology, the ocean economy, energy, pharmacy, microbiology and sociology. Faculty and student exchange programmes, professional development initiatives, joint academic activities and collaborative innovation were also identified as important areas for advancing academic cooperation.

Another significant proposal was the establishment of a Pakistan-China Museum at KU, envisioned as a centre of historical remembrance, educational heritage and cultural understanding.

The proposed museum would preserve and showcase zoological and botanical collections, rare library archives, historical documents and significant collections.