In a move to strengthen academic and cultural cooperation between the two countries, Bahria University (BU), Pakistan, and China Sinology Centre & Industrial Management Co. Ltd. (CSCIM) signed an MoU at CSCIM headquarters in Beijing, aimed at strengthening people-to-people linkages between the two nations. Under the agreement, the two sides will jointly establish a Pak–China Sinology Centre in Lahore, envisioned as a hub for education, cultural exchange, and research, Gwadar Pro reported on Thursday.

The centre will offer Pakistani and Chinese youth opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of each other’s language, culture, and society, while promoting long-term academic collaboration. Talking to Gwadar Pro, Imran Ul Haque, Director of the Pak-China Study & Research Centre, BU said the establishment of the Pak–China Sinology Centre will further reinforce Pakistan-China friendship by strengthening educational cooperation and deepening people-to-people linkages through shared learning and cultural exchange.

According to the MoU, the centre will introduce degree programs in key disciplines, including Chinese language and culture, digital sciences, and related fields. It will also develop Urdu–Chinese bilingual teaching materials and launch an AI-powered Chinese learning application tailored specifically to learners in Pakistan. The planned facilities at the centre will include a library, a traditional Chinese medicine clinic, a Chinese martial arts centre, and other academic and cultural spaces designed to support student learning and engagement.

In addition to degree programs, a range of certificate courses will be offered for graduates and students enrolled in other academic streams to enhance their professional and language skills. The collaboration also includes scholarship opportunities for study in China, joint degree programs, and multiple research initiatives to be conducted independently or in partnership with universities in both countries.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China