Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri met with Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing and discussed issues pertaining to bilateral collaboration in the higher education sector and research. Expressing his opinions, HEC Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri stressed the need for explicit inclusion of higher education in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor priority areas. He shed light on the ongoing collaborative efforts between Pakistan and China. He expressed a hope that the future will witness strengthened relations between the two countries, especially in the areas of scientific research and higher education. Ambassador Yao Jing underscored mobilisation of the China Study Centres and Confucius Centres to support research and knowledge sharing on the Chinese experience and success in various practical areas including economic development, environmental conservation, climate change, social equity and good governance. He said that currently over 20,000 Pakistani students are in China and nearly 2,000 Chinese students study in Pakistan. He observed that Pakistani faculty members may benefit from dedicated training programmes offered by China in practical dimensions of experience. Dr Tariq Banuri emphasised on an increase in the number of student and enhanced student exchange initiatives. He offered holding of a host of meetings on the significant role of China Study Centres and Confucius Centres in order to develop a platform for enhanced collaboration. Published in Daily Times, August 21st 2018.