Islamabad : 04 May 2026 -The OIC-COMSTECH in collaboration with the World Universities Association for Community Development (WUACD) on Monday inaugurated an academic leaders forum at the COMSTECH Secretariat in Islamabad, alongside the establishment of a joint secretariat aimed at promoting academic cooperation among member institutions.
A 13-member international delegation representing WUACD-affiliated universities from the Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia is participating in the forum. The event seeks to strengthen academic collaboration, explore joint research opportunities, expand fellowship programmes, and address emerging challenges in higher education, science, and technology.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH, Prof Dr M. Iqbal Choudhary, highlighted the significance of the forum, describing it as a vital platform for enhancing linkages among universities across OIC member states. He noted that in an era marked by uncertainty, misinformation, and rapid global change, universities must play a central role in community development and in preparing graduates to meet future challenges.
He emphasised that strengthened collaboration between COMSTECH and WUACD would open new avenues for academic exchange, research partnerships, and capacity building across member countries.
WUACD Executive Secretary Prof Dr Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih, while introducing the organisation, outlined plans for expanded cooperation between WUACD and COMSTECH. She expressed confidence that the partnership would create meaningful opportunities for institutions across OIC countries and contribute to sustainable academic and community development.
President of WUACD and Rector of Universitas Airlangga Prof. Dr. Muhammad Madyan, appreciated the collaboration between OIC- COMSTECH and WUACD, terming it a significant step towards strengthening academic linkages across OIC member states. He said the partnership would serve as a gateway for enhanced cooperation among universities, particularly within the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence, facilitating joint research, academic exchange, and capacity-building initiatives.
He further noted that a series of international conferences and workshops focusing on community development are planned under this platform.
Deputy Head of Mission of Indonesia in Pakistan Rahmat Hindiarta Kusuma underscored the importance of academic collaboration in strengthening bilateral relations. He described COMSTECH as a trusted partner of the Indonesian Embassy and highlighted ongoing academic exchanges, including fellowship programmes for Pakistani students in Indonesia.
He added that educational cooperation remains a key pillar of economic diplomacy and people-to-people connectivity between the two countries.
Dr. Shahid Mehmud honorary adviser COMSTECH, said the next era would be driven by artificial intelligence, bringing transformative changes across sectors. He emphasised that community development would remain essential to ensure inclusive progress. He added that collaboration between COMSTECH and WUACD would help align technological advancement with the needs of OIC member states.
Representatives of leading Pakistani universities, including vice chancellors and rectors, engaged with the international delegation to explore avenues for mutual cooperation. The newly inaugurated secretariat is expected to serve as a coordination hub for joint initiatives, research collaboration, and academic exchange programmes.
In the later sessions of the forum, discussions focused on repositioning universities for research and development excellence, innovation, commercialisation, and global collaboration.
Participants from local universities presented proposals on potential areas of cooperation, followed by an open discussion on bilateral and multilateral partnerships. The forum concluded with closing remarks and a networking session aimed at strengthening institutional linkages.
Ambassadors and diplomats from Yemen, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Tajikistan attended the ceremony, along with researchers, faculty members, and academic leaders from across Pakistan.
