COMSTECH and Chinese institutions expand partnership in science, technology, and health

 

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary speaking on the occasion. [photo provided to Gwadar Pro]

ISLAMABAD, Mar 24 (Gwadar Pro) – The Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) announced an expansion of its partnership with Chinese universities and institutions in science, technology, and health, at a ceremony held at the COMSTECH Secretariat in Islamabad.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of COMSTECH, underscored the significance of the partnerships in advancing research and innovation.

Prof. Dr. Xinmin Liu, a Chinese scientist, was recognised for his contributions to Sino-Pakistan scientific collaboration over the past 25 years. Liu, who has trained Pakistani researchers and established the Pakistan Centre for Traditional Medicine, received the Tamgha-e-Quaid-e-Azam, one of Pakistan’s highest civilian honors for foreign nationals.

The China-Pakistan Strategic Collaboration in Science and Technology spans multiple sectors. The Seeds in Space Programme, a joint effort, examines the impact of space conditions on medicinal plants. Under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has provided 100 research fellowships to Pakistani scientists in areas including precision agriculture, virology, and infectious diseases.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and herbal medicine, China is conducting clinical trials of TCM products in Pakistan, potentially leading to the registration of herbal medicines for local use. Chinese pharmaceutical companies are exploring opportunities to establish operations in Pakistan, while 10 Pakistani doctors will receive annual TCM training at leading Chinese universities.

The Department of Health in Sindh, led by Provincial Minister Dr. Azra, has introduced programs to integrate TCM into local healthcare services.

High-tech and digital innovation are central to the partnership, with joint projects in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and digital transformation underway, notably with Huawei. Collaborative efforts in biotechnology and nutritional medicine aim to develop nutritional supplements from medicinal plants to manage chronic diseases.

Looking forward, COMSTECH and Chinese institutions plan to deepen their scientific ties in areas such as space medicine research, higher education, and innovation-driven economic growth. Chinese universities, including Xinjiang Medical University, Ningbo University, and Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, are training Pakistani researchers at facilities like the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, Hamdard University, and the University of Lahore.