Lahore’s Government College University (GCU) is actively broadening its academic and cultural ties with Chinese institutions, according to Dr. Ahmad Raza Khan, person in charge of the Center of Excellence of China Studies at GCU.

In an interview with Gwadar Pro, Dr. Khan outlined ongoing exchange program with China University of Geosciences in Wuhan, which focuses on MS level, and revealed that new student-exchange agreements are being discussed with Peking University and Tsinghua University.

Documentation has been submitted to the Pakistani government, and he hopes the programs will become operational within the year.

Currently, 20 to 25 students from GCU participate in exchanges at the MS level. Dr. Khan’s long-term goal is to shift from individual scholarship applications to direct university-to-university exchanges, making mobility smoother and more systematic.

He cited a former student from a small town in southern Punjab who, after earning a BS, MS, and PhD, completed a postdoc at Peking University and recently secured a two-year research fellowship in Poland.

“The youth are the future of both countries,” Dr. Khan said. “To that end, all BS International Relations students at GCU are now required to study Chinese language, aiming to foster direct communication and prepare graduates for employment with Chinese companies operating in Pakistan.”

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