Pakistan is set to host the prestigious Muslim World’s Vice Chancellors’ Forum next month in Islamabad. The event, scheduled from February 4 to 7, will bring together over 150 vice-chancellors from universities across the member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to strengthen collaboration in higher education within the Islamic world.
On Monday, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, formally invited Somali officials to the forum during their visit to the HEC Secretariat. The Somali delegation, led by Minister of Education Farah Abdulkadir and Somalia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Sheikhnur Mohamed Hassan, engaged in discussions focused on enhancing educational ties between the two countries.
The delegation’s visit followed their participation in an international girls’ education conference, which concluded on Sunday. Alongside the minister and ambassador, the Somali team included Abdullahi Omar, Director General of the Ministry of Education, and education advisers Ms. Deka and Ms. Asma from the Somali Embassy. HEC representatives, including Adviser on Global Engagement Awais Ahmad and Director of Administration Tariq Iqbal, were also present.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed emphasized the HEC’s ongoing initiatives to expand scholarship opportunities for students from Muslim countries, citing the Afghan Student Scholarship Programme as a successful model. This program has facilitated numerous Afghan students in pursuing higher education at Pakistan’s leading universities, furthering regional academic development and cooperation.
The forum represents a vital opportunity to forge stronger ties among OIC member states and collectively elevate the standards of higher education across the Muslim world.
Conclusion
The upcoming Muslim World’s Vice Chancellors’ Forum in Islamabad marks a significant step toward fostering academic collaboration and innovation among OIC member states. By bringing together top educational leaders, the event aims to strengthen partnerships, share expertise, and create opportunities for advancing higher education across the Islamic world. Pakistan’s commitment to supporting international students, as demonstrated through initiatives like the Afghan Student Scholarship Programme, further underscores its role as a regional leader in education. This forum is poised to enhance academic development and deepen ties within the Muslim world, paving the way for a brighter, more connected future in education