A protocol was signed between YTÜ and Pakistan’s Bahria University to foster cooperation in the fields of education, academic mobility, and scientific research. The protocol covers the development of cooperation in areas such as student and faculty exchanges, joint research activities, educational initiatives, scientific publications and knowledge sharing, and short-term academic programs.

Representatives from a total of 38 universities from both countries gathered at the Turkey-Pakistan Universities Forum, organized as part of a visit to Pakistan led by Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), and attended by the rectors of 10 Turkish universities. Under the protocol signed between Yıldız Technical University (YTÜ) and Bahria University during the visit, the goal is to strengthen the institutional framework for academic cooperation between the two universities.

At the signing ceremony held in Islamabad, the protocol was signed by YTÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Eyüp Debik and Bahria University Rector Engr. Abid Hameed.

38 universities from Turkey and Pakistan came together for cooperation

During meetings held as part of the visit to Pakistan by YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar and the rectors of 10 universities from Turkey, rectors and administrators from 28 universities in Pakistan also participated. Thus, a total of 38 universities from the two countries came together to develop new academic collaborations.

Within the framework of the Turkey-Pakistan Universities Forum, opportunities for collaboration were discussed in various fields, including higher education, dual-degree programs, the development of joint programs and curricula, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, biotechnology, textiles, and agriculture.

During the discussions, new collaboration models were evaluated under headings such as student and faculty exchanges, joint academic and research initiatives, internships and summer programs, joint scientific publications, workshops and conferences, dual and joint degree opportunities, and graduate scholarship opportunities.

As part of the forum, Dokuz Eylül University, Istanbul Technical University, Yıldız Technical University, Hacettepe University, and the İzmir Institute of Technology each signed cooperation agreements with six Pakistani universities; Boğaziçi University and Middle East Technical University each signed cooperation agreements with five Pakistani universities, while Gazi University and Gebze Technical University each signed an agreement with one Pakistani university.

Student and faculty mobility will be enhanced between YTÜ and Bahria University

Under the three-year protocol signed between YTÜ and Bahria University, efforts will be made to facilitate the mutual exchange of undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty members.

As part of the collaboration, the two universities plan to conduct joint courses and online education activities, organize short-term academic programs, and develop opportunities for academic mobility.

The protocol aims to develop initiatives that will enable students and faculty members to experience different academic environments and to increase academic interaction between the two universities.

Joint research and scientific output will be supported

The protocol also covers the development of joint research activities between YTÜ and Bahria University. Key elements of the collaboration include faculty members conducting joint scientific studies, participating in seminars and academic meetings, and enhancing scientific publications and knowledge sharing.

In this context, the goal is to increase direct contact between the academics, departments, and research centers of the two universities and to create new areas for joint scientific studies.

Thus, by supporting not only academic mobility but also research and publication activities, the plan is to expand the institutional collaboration between YTÜ and Bahria University to various academic fields.

A Joint Roadmap for Turkey-Pakistan Higher Education Relations

Within the framework of the Turkey-Pakistan Universities Forum, a joint declaration regarding a new era in higher education between the two countries was signed by YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar and Pakistan Higher Education Commission (HEC) President Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar.

The joint declaration aims to transform the historical, cultural, and human ties between Turkey and Pakistan into concrete opportunities for universities, students, faculty members, and researchers.

While reaffirming their commitment to strengthening relations in the fields of higher education, research, and innovation, the two countries also reached an agreement on renewing and implementing the memorandums of understanding signed in 2016 and 2017.

The joint statement outlines steps to develop higher education cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan within a more systematic, sustainable, and structured framework.

Turkey-Pakistan University of Technology on the Agenda

The joint statement confirmed an agreement to continue discussions regarding the establishment of the Turkey-Pakistan University of Technology. It was decided to continue work on the university’s concept, institutional structure, academic scope, governance, and financing.

The two countries will also evaluate a competitive research funding mechanism that will cover priority areas, funding arrangements, eligibility criteria, and joint calls for proposals.

There are plans to encourage jointly funded product-oriented research, as well as joint research proposals and funding applications. Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and Islamic finance are among the priority areas for research collaboration, while increasing the number of joint academic articles, books, and other scientific publications is also a goal.