08/25 From Islamabad to Rabat: Pakistan Champions Climate and Research Collaboration
Posted 3 months ago
Greeningdotlive June 27, 2025
At the prestigious 6th Vice Chancellors' Forum, convened this week at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, took center stage to reaffirm Pakistan's commitment to collaborative research, climate education, and innovation across the Islamic world.
In his keynote address, Dr. Ahmed presented a bold and optimistic vision: one in which OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) countries share academic resources and co-develop strategic knowledge hubs to address climate change, sustainability, and socio-economic transformation. His speech resonated with an audience of rectors, ministers, and thought leaders from over 30 countries, including key delegates from Morocco, the Maldives, Libya, and several Gulf and Southeast Asian states.
From Islamabad to Rabat: A Pivotal Moment in Higher Education DiplomacyThe 6th Vice Chancellors' Forum, jointly organized by HEC Pakistan and ICESCO, was more than just another summit. It was a strateic gathering of education executives from across the OIC designed to cultivate new collaboration frameworks in research, digital transformation, and environmental resilience.
Dr. Ahmed's message was clear: "Pakistan envisions a future where universities lead climate conversations, not follow them." He emphasized that addressing global challenges like climate resilience and technological disruption requires more than policy; it demands a unified academic ecosystem that thrives on diversity, innovation, and mutual learning.
A Forum for Action, Not Just Dialogue: A Platform for Tangible Progress
The Rabat forum served as a launchpad for actionable collaborations, with sessions focused on:
- Sustainability and Climate Resilience in Higher Education
- Impact-Driven Research Across Borders
- Artificial Intelligence and Future-Ready Universities
- Funding Mechanisms for Global Research Initiatives
Representatives discussed cross-border PhD consortia, green technology incubators, and joint curricula on climate literacy. Under HEC's leadership, Pakistan is positioning itself as a regional hub for innovation with initiatives like the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) and HEC's Green Campus Drive, which promote eco-conscious infrastructure and curriculum reform.
A Diplomatic Win for ICESCO and Pakistan
Dr. Ahmed lauded ICESCO's role as a convener of intellectual and policy capital, praising its efforts in mobilizing resources and voices from the Islamic world. His remarks underscored a broader trend: the globalization of education diplomacy, in which academic institutions are playing a growing role in shaping geopolitical outcomes.
This comes as Pakistan is revamping its higher education strategy, aligning its goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and focusing on digital transformation, equity in education, and climate resilience.
What's Next?
The momentum from Rabat will support several upcoming initiatives, including:
- A Regional Research Network on Climate and Water Security, co-led by Pakistani and North African universities
- Pakistan-Morocco Joint Fellowships for Women in STEM, aimed at closing the gender gap in research
- Digital Learning Exchanges, leveraging AI and open-source platforms to connect students across the Muslim world
As Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed rightly stated, "The 21st century belongs to those who collaborate, not just compete." His call for a pan-Islamic knowledge economy rooted in sustainability and innovation is not just aspirational-it's timely, necessary, and increasingly achievable.
Pakistan is strategically pivoting its higher education sector to become a global influencer in climate-conscious innovation and academic collaboration. The Rabat summit marks a significant milestone in this journey, offering a replicable model for how education can shape the future of sustainable development.
