Daily Times

Following the signing of MoU between University of Sargodha and Hanban (Confucius Institute Headquarters) in Beijing in the presence of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chinese premier Le Keqiang on October 8, 2019, Vice Chancellor Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad and Director Pakistan Institute of China Studies Dr. Fazalur Rahman participated in the 2019 International Chinese Language Conference” held at Changsha, China.

On the sidelines of the Conference, Hanban organized a meeting among the three stakeholders of CI at Sargodha University i.e. Hanban, Henan Normal University (HNU) and Sargodha University (SU) to work out the details of Implementing Agreement between SU and Hanban. The high-level meeting was attended by Prof Ma Jianfei, Deputy Chief Executive of Hanban, Prof Zhao Guoxiang, Chairman of the Council at HNU, Vice Chancellor SU, Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad, Mr Zhong Heqing, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, and officials of the Provincial Education Ministry of Henan Province and the International Department of the Henan Normal University.

Prof Jianfei welcomed SU’s entry into the community of global CIs. He explained the key objectives of the CI and hoped that the fifth CI in Pakistan will play a pivotal role in developing deeper understanding of Chinese language and culture in Pakistan to bring the people of two brotherly countries closer.

Dr. Ahmad thanked Hanban, HNU and the Chinese Embassy for creating this exceptionally significant opportunity for SU, which will help Pakistani youth to acquire language skills, develop deep understanding of Chinese culture and civilization to become useful partners in development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative. He explained the crucial role of SU for being located in the agricultural hub of Punjab and how he envisaged to build upon this opportunity to benefit the youth and local community.

The Chinese counterparts assured the Vice Chancellor of their full support and hoped the CI at SU will be a milestone in the development of Pakistan and China-Pakistan relations.

The meeting at Changsha was followed by a visit to HNU, which being a partner university will share the management of the CI at SU. During the formal meeting, the leaders and officials of the two universities shared their vision and discussed the processes to be undertaken for finalization of the Implementation Agreement. The meeting was attended by Prof Chang Junbiao, President of HNU, Prof Cheng Yunxiang, Dean of College of International Education, Prof Li Yongxian, Dean of School of Chinese and Literature, Prof. Liang Xiaodong, Dean of Faculty of International Studies, Prof. Liu Xianguo, Dean of College of Physical Education, Prof. DuanXu, Dean of College of Music and Dance, Prof. Ding Xiaosheng, Party Secretary of Life Sciences, and Prof. Du Xuguang, Vice Dean of Academy of Fine Arts.

The meeting concluded by agreeing that:

* The two sides will make preparations in line with Hanban’s policies for establishing the CI and signing of the Implementation Agreement as soon as possible.

* CI will be used as a platform for cooperation in the other areas of common interest and resources available in the two universities.

* Exchange of short academic visits of faculty and students.

* Creating opportunities for split degree program and scholarships on reciprocal basis