‘Change in Pakistan won’t affect CPEC’

LAHORE

A diplomatic mission from People's Republic of China headed by Dr Baige Zhao, Deputy Foreign Minister and Mr Wang Weiguang, President Chinese Academy of Social Sciences visited University of Management and Technology (UMT) on Friday.

According to a press release,  UMT Rector Dr Muhammad Aslam and Director CPEC Centre Dr Haroon Rasheed welcomed the delegation and introduced the university and its ongoing projects regarding China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Expressing his views, the Rector said that after CPEC, relationship between China and Pakistan had entered into new era. 

The delegation was given briefing on recently established CPEC Business Research Centre and other university activities related to the mega project.

The delegation also discussed various ways of engaging business community of both the countries to create synergies regarding CPEC operations. The delegation exchanged information regarding various aspects of CPEC and its futuristic scope in the region.

Replying to a query whether the change of government in Pakistan would affect the CPEC project, Dr Baige Zhao said change of government in Pakistan was not a problem at all that could affect CPEC as the project aimed at uniting people of both the countries who were the real stakeholders.  Dr Baige said CPEC was a huge project that would change the fate of both the nations. He said the people of China and Pakistan would greatly benefit from the project especially young entrepreneurs and engineers studying at universities would have ample opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and skills for CPEC.

She appreciated the UMT management for raising awareness regarding CPEC and setting up Business Research Centre at the varsity. Dr Aslam said a number of initiatives, including language, research and training of the faculty and interaction with Chinese universities were being carried out to prepare educational institutions of both the countries for CPEC project.Mr Weiguang said they were visiting Pakistani universities as per instructions of the central government that wanted them to engage in talks with university officials to do research on CPEC and build public opinion. Other members in the delegation include Mr Wang Lei, Director General, International Cooperation Department of CASS, Mr Du Genqi, Consul, and Chinese Consulate in Lahore, Mr Zang Yang, Associate Professor, Dalian Maritime University and others.Earlier, flag-hoisting ceremony took place in the varsity where flags of both the countries were hoisted by respective officials.

honoured: Punjab University Faculty of Life Sciences Dean Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan has been awarded the prestigious Turkish “Mevlana (Rumi) Academic Exchange Programme Award” for year 2017. 

According to a press release, under the academic staff mobility programme, Prof Naeem Khan, who is also former registrar of PU, will visit Kastamonu University in northern Turkey from October 1-15, 2017, to give a series of seminars and guest lectures, besides visiting historical academic and cultural institutions in Istanbul.