ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) organised here a two-day conference in connection with the launch of “CPEC Consortium of Business Schools” at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad.

The Conference aimed at setting the course of academic collaboration between Pakistan and China, a news release said on Wednesday.

Federal Minister for Interior Prof Ahsan Iqbal was chief guest in the closing ceremony while, President of China Association of Higher Education (CAHE) Du Yubo, Executive Director HEC Dr Arshad Ali, and Consultant (CPEC) Lt Gen Muhammad Asghar (R) were also present.

The Conference was attended by representatives of nine top-ranking Chinese universities, including seven members of the C9 League, an alliance of nine elite universities in mainland China, besides leadership of partner universities from Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Ahsan Iqbal termed the CPEC Consortium of Business Schools another step forward towards successful execution of CPEC.

“China Pakistan Economic Corridor is start of a new era in the region,” he said, adding that almost $36 billion of the CPEC investment has been allocated for energy projects in Pakistan.

He said CPEC also encompasses mega infrastructure projects like Gwadar Port, and will help in structural transformation of Pakistan’s economy.

Linking development of any country to political stability, social security, and integrated policies, the Minister said China is a role model for Pakistan to make economic progress.

“Economic miracle is no rocket science, it is a common sense that we need to learn from China,” he underlined. He stressed the need for developing new capabilities to become competitive in the world.

The Minister elaborated that business schools will have a very vital role in promoting business-to-business relations between Pakistan and China. He said the platform of this Consortium will be very useful for this purpose. He reiterated Government’s resolve to make Pakistan an Asian Tiger by 2025.

Describing the significance of Consortium, DU Yubo said scholars from nine leading Chinese universities jointly with representatives of 10 Pakistani institutions will pave the way for extensive collaboration between Pakistan and China.

He said that owning the masses is the best way of functioning a society, adding Pakistan and China need to devise a strong mechanism of communication.

He assured that CAHE will take all possible steps for effective coordination. “The two sides have to gather all their resources and mobilise professors and students to work for success of CPEC,” he emphasised. In his remarks, Dr Arshad Ali said incorporating human resource development in CPEC is a big initiative for ensuring success of all the development projects. He hoped that the Consortium will set a ground for enhanced academic collaboration.—APP