Pakistan-China ties are rapidly growing well beyond the economy and the military with tens of thousands of Chinese and Pakistani citizens regularly traveling between the two countries. More Pakistanis than ever are learning the Chinese language. China with its world class educational institutions is emerging as one of the top destinations for Pakistanis studying abroad. Currently, 6,156 Pakistani students are studying in Ph.D., 3,600 in Masters, 11,100 in Bachelors and 3,000 in Short Term Exchange Programs across China. Pakistan ranks third in the number of international students currently studying in China with 28,023 Pakistani students, according to a statement issued by China’s Ministry of Education. It is becoming a truly multi-dimensional relationship which will help Pakistan rise with China on the world stage.
Pakistan's Co-authored Research Papers. Source: Nature |
Typical of the new Sinophile generation of Pakistani scientists is Dr. Iqbal Choudhary, director of the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences at the University of Karachi. Choudhary’s center is one of the oldest — it celebrated its 50th birthday just a few years ago — and largest institutes in Asia dedicated to the chemistry and biology of natural products.
China's Top Collaborators in Science and Technology Research. Source: Nature |
Among the Belt Road Initiative member nations, Pakistan has emerged as the second strongest Chinese partner for science and technology collaboration in terms of Probabilistic Affinity Index (PAI), according to the Journal Nature. So far, China Academy of Sciences (CAS) has invested more than 1.8 billion yuan (almost US$268 million) in science and technology projects as part of the BRI.
CAS is supporting the Digital Belt and Road (Digital BRI), a platform for participating countries to share the data obtained as part of their collaborative projects with each other and with China. These data include satellite images as well as quantitative data on natural hazards, water resources and cultural heritage sites.
As part of Digital BRI/CPEC, an 820-kilometer long China-Pakistan fiber optic cable has already been laid between the city of Rawalpindi, Pakistan in the south and the Khunjerab Pass, China in the north and operational since July, 2018.
By 2020, the 6,299 kilometers of underwater cables will extend to Djibouti from Gwadar and form the Digital Silk Route between Asia and Africa. At the same time, a space-based Silk Road will provide satellite navigation support to all BRI countries. The first Beidou base station of the Space Silk Road is already operational in Pakistan since 2017. BeiDou is making rapid progress with 30 BRI countries already linked up.
Related Links:
Haq's Musings
South Asia Investor Review
China-Pakistan Defense Production Coop Irks West
Pakistan's Research Output Growing Fastest in the World
AI Research at NED University Funded By Silicon Valley NEDians
Pakistan Hi-Tech Exports Exceed A Billion US Dollars in 2018
Pakistan Becomes CERN Member
Digital BRI/CPEC in Pakistan
Rising College Enrollment in Pakistan
Pakistani Universities Listed Among Asia's Top 500 Jump From 16 to 23 in One Year
Genomics and Biotech Research in Pakistan
Human Capital Growth in Pakistan
Educational Attainment in Pakistan
Pakistan Human Development in Musharraf Years
11 comments:
Dear Riaz Bhai. Interesting article from Dawn. Since you live far away in USA, its a must read. Link pasted below. Renowned Nuclear physicist Dr.Parvez Hoodbhoy was the author.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1221057
Pakistan Signs Space Cooperation Agreement With China To Enable First Pakistani Astronaut
https://spacewatch.global/2019/05/pakistan-signs-space-cooperation-agreement-with-china-to-enable-first-pakistani-astronaut/
Pakistan signed a space cooperation agreement with China at a ceremony in Beijing held on 27 April 2019 providing a framework for the training of Pakistani astronauts, space science and exploration, as well as the establishment of a Sino-Pakistani space committee that will discuss other cooperative initiatives in space.
The signing of the agreement by Hao Chun, Director of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), and Amer Nadeem, Chairman of Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) took place on the sidelines of China’s Belt and Road Summit. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is an important aspect of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), though it has come under international criticism recently because of allegations that the infrastructure projects are over-priced, of poor quality, questionable economic viability, and incurs heavy debt on an already struggling Pakistani economy.
While brick and mortar infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, and ports receive much of the attention in media coverage of CPEC, there is a space aspect to the initiative that has already seen China launch several communication and Earth observation satellites for Pakistan, and in October 2018 it was announced that China will train and send to Earth orbit a Pakistani astronaut by 2022, a geopolitical response to an announcement by India earlier in 2018 that it will send its first indigenously launched astronaut to orbit by 2023.
“China-Pakistan space cooperation will help Pakistan in terms of satellite monitoring of natural disasters and agricultural production, land and resources surveying, and waste handling in a microgravity environment,” said Lan Jianxue, an associate research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, in an interview with Chinese English-language newspaper the Global Times.
Lan also told the Global Times that beyond the obvious benefits for Pakistani space development, the cooperation agreement will also likely benefit China by allowing it to sell satellite services and applications in China, increase the security of its infrastructure investments there through more active space-based surveillance and connectivity, and burnish its soft power image as a provider of space assistance and public goods to the international community.
During Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Beijing in November 2018, Pakistan and China agreed to expand and deepen their collaboration in the areas of new and emerging technologies such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, and information and communications technology, “which can contribute to improved living standards through their applications in the fields of health, agriculture, water, energy and food security.”
Pakistan and China also agreed to promote the 2012-2020 Space Cooperation Outline between the CNSA and SUPARCO. The two countries expressed their satisfaction on the launch of the Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS-1) earlier in 2018, and agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in space technology applications.
Govt schools to be converted into ‘Science technology schools’ : Fawad ch
https://www.brecorder.com/2019/05/16/497447/govt-schools-to-be-converted-into-science-technology-schools-fawad-ch/
He explained the Science School program that with the collaboration of education ministry we would provide modern technology in government schools as it is time to work actively for developing schools as centers of knowledge.
Minister said in the first phase of this program we have selected almost 1500 government schools where government would introduced technology based education for students.
“The program will equip government students to compete with other students from any part of the world”, he added.
While emphasis on digital education in Pakistan, he said , “We have to support our technology companies and facilitate our future generation to acquire scientific and technological education to meet the latest requirements,” he stressed.
Digital education is the key to success in this modern era full of technologies, he added.
There are still very less educational institutes that are providing facilities for digital education but this ratio is expected to improve by upcoming digital initiatives in the future, he hoped.
However, he said there was dire need to improve the standard and quality of government schools in the country as this sector was badly neglected in past but PTI government would utilize all available resources for the promotion of technology in education institutions.
Different technology based apps would be introduced in smart gadgets that will help citizens to understand and get knowledge more easily.
All debit cards and credit cards would also be shifted to the mobile phones within next 6 to 8 months, adding, as China’s all business already shifted to their Mobile phones, he mentioned.
Replying a question about its security , he assured that this system would be secure like ATM cards.
Fawad said , the federal government has also decided to set up science and technology parks in the country and these parks will be established in collaboration of universities.
He highlighted the purpose of these parks was to promote studies and research in science, especially for science students who would get all the facilities related to science and technology under one roof.
‘Lahore Science Park’ which was already in final stages would be inaugurated soon, he also declared.
Talking about Science fair , Chaudhry said the first Pakistan Science Fair will be held in August 2019 in Islamabad.
Pakistan should collaborate more with emerging countries and must develop some joint research centres within Pakistan. Apart from China, Russia could be another country to collaborate on joint research and development activities on 50/50 partnership.
Its good that more Pakistani students are going to China rather then going to UK. UK's last valuable jewel was perhaps education sector which is now going in the drain hole with high level of corruption. Despite awareness of UK public authorities they are not willing to do anything (insiders themselves). I have came across plenty of students that are not satisfied with education quality of UK and they feel unsatisfied. One must wonder why so many private tuition centres for school age children are popping up every where in UK and why every town now have many private training centres for higher education and skills. Quality of tuition/training is very poor in these centres and incidents of deception/fraud are very high. My group is also aware of some chartered universities within UK that are issuing degrees and diplomas officially to those student that have never stepped inside that university or their affiliated training provider (corruption like 3rd world).
I recently came across a person who has written a book in English. This person cannot even speak English properly, yet one academic from famous British university has given a very positive remark about this person and his quality of professionalism on the back cover of his book.
Towards CPEC 3.0
Sohaib R. Malik
https://www.dawn.com/news/1484851
In the telecom industry, China’s Huawei has become a leading equipment supplier and is among the world’s most innovative companies with nearly 88,000 patents as of December 2018. Analysts believe it is set to lead the world in the rollout of the future’s most promising, and critical, technology: fifth-generation (5G) mobile telecom infrastructure. As of April 2019, Huawei had signed more than 40 5G contracts globally, proving that the firm can commercialise its solutions faster than its Western and Asian rivals.
Many Chinese tech giants are already present in Pakistan. Since digital connectivity and infrastructure are essential for tomorrow’s economies, future cooperation in this area should form a major pillar of CPEC. Regardless of the US government’s fierce opposition, Chinese tech giants will be at the forefront of advancements in the telecom industry. Therefore, B2B partnerships could help Pakistan’s budding ICT sector to develop capacities by engaging with Chinese partners. Meanwhile, Chinese firms can target the vast untapped potential of Pakistani market.
Concerned chiefly about its soaring dependence on imported fuels and worsening urban pollution — challenges we can relate with — the Chinese government implemented several corrective measures. Since taking the reins in 2013, President Xi has stressed the need for sustainability more than his predecessors. Resultantly, China is a leader in the renewables industry and the largest market for electric vehicles (EVs). According to Wood Mackenzie, a consultancy, by December 2018 China had 181 gigawatt of wind and 175GW of solar PV capacity — a whopping one-third of installations worldwide.
Although Western original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) dominate the global wind turbine value chain, Chinese PV suppliers are rivalled by none, albeit facing anti-dumping duties by many countries. Chinese turbine OEMs have struggled to lure investors outside their domestic market, but thanks to CPEC, they hold a 30pc share in Pakistan’s nascent wind energy market. Chinese turbine OEMs are willing to localise production for future installations, which can lay the foundation for tech transfer — yet another incentive that sets renewables apart from thermal power.
China leads the world in emerging trends in e-mobility. It has over 200 million electric two-wheelers and recorded sales of 1m EVs in 2018 — more than the rest of the world combined. According to McKinsey, a consultancy, the success of Chinese OEMs is more pronounced in the e-bus segment — of the 97,000 urban buses sold in China in 2018, 87,000 were electric.
Beijing has a goal that one-fifth of vehicles sold in China by 2025 should be electric, which will catalyse exponential growth in EV sales and help Chinese manufacturers consolidate their strengths. Advancements in these sectors will create further synergies. For instance, 5G connectivity is necessary to commercialise autonomous EVs and robo-taxis, which will rely on artificial intelligence and fuelled (ideally) through renewables.
This is not to suggest that China will help us become an important player in these futuristic technologies. That thought is far-fetched. Nevertheless, by aiding Islamabad in these areas to address the economic and environmental challenges it faces, Beijing will vindicate President Xi’s stated vision of BRI and legitimise its leadership in the developing world. Or else we must tone down the enthusiasm that encircles CPEC and reassess the allocation of our scarce institutional resources for better outcomes.
#Pakistani students shine at #Beijing Institute of Technology #China. Among distinguished international students from #Russia, #Poland, #Germany, #France, #Kazakhstan, #Egypt and #African countries, 85% of the top award winners are from #Pakistan. http://a.msn.com/0F/en-xl/BBYlsRv?ocid=st
BEIJING: A number of Pakistani students at Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT), a major research university under the supervision of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, were awarded “best student of the year” for their performance during current academic year.
Out of total distinguished international students from Russia, Poland, Germany, France, Kazakhstan, Egypt and African countries who won the award, 85 per cent belonged to Pakistan, according to a data released by the institute.
Manzoor Sutlan, a student of Armament Science and Technology Department, excelled in the research on molecular dynamics simulation, co-crystallization to decrease, sensitivity of explosive materials.
Similarly, Syed Anees Haider Zaidi of Management Science and Engineering was awarded excellent student award for research in green supply chain.
Raja Hamid Dhanyak carried out research in electronic science and technology and Syed Zaheer from Mathematics department of the university conducted research in geometry and were declared excellent students.
Two students Zahoor Ahmed and Shujah-ur-Rehman from School of Management Economics excelled in carrying out research in environmental sustainability, energy economic and accounting respective.
Zeeshan Masood, a student of School of Automation and Ali Muhammad Rawahid, a student of aerospace engineering excellently performed during their research in control science and engineering and electric propulsion respectively.
Ubaid Khan, Qasim Umer and Adnan Tahir, students of school of optics and photonic, computer science and life sciences respective were selected or the excellent award for research in optical engineering, machine learning, software maintenance and bioinformatics and neurobiology.
More than 2,500 international students from 137 countries are currently enrolled at the university.
The largest student population is from Pakistan, South Korea, Russia, Poland, Germany, France, Kazakhstan, Indonesia and Thailand.
Every year, the university nominates some students for excellent students of the year on the basis of their performance.
China Pakistan Joint Research Center on Earth Science under CPEC in the Offing
https://nation.com.pk/03-Oct-2021/china-pakistan-joint-research-center-on-earth-science-under-cpec-in-the-offing
The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives directed reverent authorities to finalize action plans within 30 days for four mega-projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), including the establishment of China Pakistan Joint Research Center on Earth Science, according to a report published by Gwadar Pro.
In this regard, Federal Minister for PDSI Asad Umar presided over the review meetings of the newly constituted Working Groups on Science and Technology and Information Technology Cooperation at the 10th JCC of CPEC.
The minister directed the action plans for four projects including the establishment of the China Pakistan Joint Research Center on Earth Science,the acquisition of Oceanographic Research Vessel,the establishment of the Institute of Smart Semiconductor and the establishment of Silicon Solar Cells,PV Panel Fabrication Facility of 500 MW/annum. These projects were made part of CPEC in the 10th JCC meeting.
Minister for Science & Technology Shibli Faraz said that with the joint efforts of both countries, science and technology applications should be used to accelerate the growth of the economy and solve the problems of the citizens.
We need to go for a proper plan & strategy with a regular monitoring system so that Pakistan can obtain maximum benefit from technology and expertise of the Chinese side, Mr. Faraz added.
The newly formed JWG on Information Technology, which was approved during the 10th JCC, was also discussed in another meeting. The participants discussed Broadband Connectivity, Technology Parks/ IT Parks, Cyber Security, Software and Hardware developmentin detail.
Information technology is the future of Pakistan and in the last one or two years, Pakistan has witnessed rapid growth in this sector, said Federal Minister for Information Technology Aminul Haq and he added that Pakistans software exports increased almost 47% in the information technology sector.
This sector now will further develop and expand through technical collaboration with China, according to Mr. Haq, adding there is also a need to launch new technical assistance programs for Pakistan to meet the professional requirements of the growing IT Industry in the country.
Federal Minister Asad Umar directed the IT Ministry to submit concept notes on the above sectors to M/o PDSI within 30 days so that the fast-moving and strategic initiatives could be discussed in the upcoming JWG.
"The role of the Ministry of IT must be appreciated as they are striving hard to meet the international standards of technological advancement and progress," Asad Umar added.
#China-#Pakistan #AI excellence center to promote industrial development. The center will be jointly built by #Wuhan University of #Technology (WUT) and Pak University of Engineering and Emerging Technologies (PUEET) in #Islamabad http://en.ce.cn/Insight/202111/05/t20211105_37064989.shtml
WUHAN, Nov. 5 (Gwadar Pro) - Pakistani Ambassador to China Moin ul Haque attended a signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding recently on establishing an Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence in Pakistan.
The center will be jointly built by Wuhan University of Technology (WUT) and Pak University of Engineering and Emerging Technologies. On April 8 this year, Haque led a delegation to visit WUT and exchanged views on the construction plan of the two universities.
While addressing the signing ceremony, Haque said that there are more than 40,000 Pakistani students nationwide in China, including 1,000 in Wuhan. “Educational cooperation between the two countries will not only help Pakistani students in their careers and studies, but also help achieve high-quality development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,” said Haque.
Haque also expressed his hope that the MOU will serve as a new starting point for the educational cooperation between China and Pakistan. He said that the center will further strengthen bilateral cooperation in emerging technologies and also open new avenues for high quality development of science and technology, talent cultivation and high-end research.
WUT Party Committee Secretary Xin Sijin welcomed Haque’s delegation and said that educational cooperation is a solid cornerstone of CPEC. “On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan, we will take this opportunity to vigorously promote our cooperation with Pakistani universities”.
“WUT attaches great importance to the cultivation of Pakistani students and has signed cooperation agreements with several Chinese state-owned enterprises to jointly cultivate international students from countries and regions along the Belt and Road. In the past five years, WUT has recruited a total of 173 Pakistani students mainly majoring in engineering technology and management,” said Xin.
In addition, WUT’s state key laboratory of silicate building materials has carried out an inter-governmental cooperation project, helping Pakistan recover its buildings in areas hit by disasters with green building materials, Xin added.
As the project leader, Dr. Atta ur Rahman, Chairman of Pakistani Prime Minister’s Task Force on Science and Technology, expressed his gratitude to WUT online for its strong support to Pakistan. He believes that the center will focus on emerging technology and turn breakthroughs in science and technology into actual productivity and benefit the two counties’ social and economic development.
During his visit in Wuhan, Ambassador Haque and his delegation also signed an agreement on establishing sister-province relations between Hubei and Sindh Province, inaugurated China-Pakistan Friendship Square, and signed several cooperation agreements with other universities in Hubei.
6th Academic Forum on China-Pak Scitech and Economic Cooperation held
BY ACADEMIA MAGAZINE DECEMBER 17, 2021
https://academiamag.com/6th-academic-forum-on-china-pak-scitech-and-economic-cooperation-held/
The 6th Academic Forum on China-Pakistan Scientific, Technical and Economic Cooperation under the “Belt and Road” Initiative with the theme of Inheriting China-Pakistan Friendship and Joining Hands to Create the Future was held online and offline, with more than 200 Chinese and Pakistani experts and scholars participated in it.
Department of International Cooperation, China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), Beijing Association for Science and Technology (BAST), Embassy of China in Pakistan, Embassy of Pakistan Beijing, the Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU) jointly organized the forum.
“This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Pakistan-China diplomatic ties and there has been a renewed focus on cooperation in the fields of higher education and science and technology, Moin ul Haque, Pakistan Ambassador to China highlighted.
The BTBU organizes international forums, trainings and exchanges through two platforms of the “Belt and Road” Joint Training Center jointly established by the Pakistan Study Center of Science and Technology and Economy and the international science and technology organization in Pakistan-the ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF), CEN reported.
Dr. Talat Shabbir, China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC), Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad (ISSI), and Dr. Di Yuna, Executive Director of BTBU PSC, signed the memorandum of academic cooperation on behalf of both sides.
Dr. Shabbir emphasized that the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has promoted the exchanges and cooperation between the two peoples and improved the economic and living standards of Pakistan.
The signing of the agreement is of great significance. He looks forward to in-depth cooperation with BTBU in the future.
Dr. Di introduced the exchanges and trainings carried out by the Pakistan Study Center of Science & Technology and Economy of BTBU in the past six years, and expressed sincere gratitude to the Chinese and Pakistani partners for their continuous support.
Wang Qinglin, Vice Minister of the International Cooperation Department of the China Association for Science and Technology, noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The cooperation between the two parties in the field of science and technology has been further strengthened.
Xie Guoxiang, Minister Counselor, Embassy of China in Pakistan underlined in his speech that the Joint Committee of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor established a joint working group on science and technology last year, and this year it added a joint working group on information technology.
Besides, Pakistani scientists have also been commended by the Chinese government one after another. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro, President of ECO Science Foundation, received the 2020 Chinese Government Friendship Award.
Beijing Science and Technology International Exchange Center, China Study Centre at COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan Science and Technology Information Center, School of International Economics and Management, School of Economics, School of Foreign Languages, Office of International Exchange and Cooperation at BTBU, and representatives from Chinese and Pakistani governments, technology organizations, teacher, student, business and media agency representatives also attended the forum.
China-Pakistan Digital Corridor to enhance cooperation in IT sector: Pakistani Ambassador--China Economic Net
http://en.ce.cn/Insight/202210/21/t20221021_38186192.shtml
BEIJING, Oct 21 (China Economic Net) – Pakistan and China have agreed to launch three new corridors, including the China-Pakistan Digital Corridor that would help enhancing cooperation in different fields of I.T, said Pakistan's Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque, in an interview with China Economic Net (CEN).
Moin ul Haque told CEN that Pakistan has a rich repertoire of talent and human resources in different fields of science and technology and IT-based science and technology have become very important for Pakistan.
"We would be an important source of help for China in terms of software development. So, we are working together to set up training centres in Pakistan for developing software in different fields of IT", he stated.
He further said that the two countries recently agreed to launch three new corridors: the China-Pakistan Green Corridor, which will focus on the agricultural environment, food security, and green development, the China-Pakistan Health Corridor which will help Pakistan get efficiency in the medical field, and then the China-Pakistan Digital Corridor which will boost Pakistan's IT industry.
Ammar Jaffri Former Additional Director General FIA and Founder of Digital Pakistan said that emerging technologies have now become a lifeline for the achievement of The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) & targets.
"We are aiming to organise an international conference about artificial intelligence on 23rd March 2023 in which local and foreign enterprises would participate and we would take strategic decisions to engage the government of Pakistan, and international organisations in our mega projects", he mentioned.
He further said that AI in areas of cyber security, SDGs, and emerging technologies is a much-needed zone where Pakistan has to work with China while Pakistan has a young population advantage in the region.
China is a top destination for Pakistani students with some 28,000 Pakistani students studying in China. China has received returning Pakistani students with a warm welcome, facilitating them to continue their studies with same zeal and enthusiasm.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1060100-china-top-destination-for-pakistani-students
After three years of break-off due to the pandemic, Waseem Abbas, a Pakistani student pursuing his doctoral degree in China, finally returned to Beijing together with some 20 fellow students at the beginning of April to continue study in a prominent Chinese university.
“It’s inspiring to see everything goes back to normal on a safe basis”, he said, adding, “From boarding to getting off the plane, hailing taxes and entering campus, we go on unhindered, China Economic Net (CEN) reported on Wednesday. He told that there is a surge in the number of Pakistani students returning to China after the country lifted its Covid-related restrictions on inbound visitors at the beginning of this year. In the past two years, while lab research was suspended partly, his quest for knowledge did not. Together with his supervisors and classmates, he published seven papers on feed additives and one SCI-indexed paper is in the pipeline.
Moreover, by working part-time with a Chinese feed technology company that has presence in Pakistan, he paved the way for working in Beijing after graduation as he wishes. “In Pakistan, livestock production contributes over 60% of the total agricultural output value. Around 60% of our feed additives, an essential element for livestock health, are imported from China. After the floods last year, they have a significant role to play in recovering Pakistan’s poultry sector”, he said.
Post a Comment