Dhaka, Bangladesh — Rector of COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar, has offered faculty development scholarships to Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) and the University of Rajshahi as part of efforts to strengthen regional academic collaboration during the South Asian Regional Conference on Higher Education (SARCHE) 2026 in Dhaka.
Prof. Qamar is representing Pakistan as part of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) delegation of Vice Chancellors participating in the four-day conference, which has brought together more than 30 international delegates from South Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe and international development institutions, including senior officials of the World Bank.
On the sidelines of the conference, Prof. Qamar held separate meetings with Prof. Md. Shahinul Alam, Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh Medical University, and Prof. Dr. Saleh-Hasan-Naqib, Vice Chancellor of the University of Rajshahi. The discussions focused on expanding regional research collaboration, strengthening institutional partnerships, and promoting faculty and student exchange programmes between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
During the meetings, the Rector of COMSATS University extended a standing offer of ten postgraduate scholarships per institution for faculty members of both BMU and the University of Rajshahi. The scholarships are aimed at faculty development and advanced training in priority academic and research areas.
It was also agreed that COMSATS University’s commercialised biomedical products, KytoStat and KytoGraft, will be provided to Bangladesh Medical University for testing and evaluation under local clinical conditions. Officials said the initiative is expected to contribute to improved healthcare outcomes while serving as a goodwill and knowledge-sharing gesture from Pakistan.
The discussions further explored new models of collaborative research, particularly the use of artificial intelligence to identify research gaps, optimise resource utilisation and jointly address region-specific socio-economic and healthcare challenges. Both sides expressed strong interest in developing data-driven research frameworks to enhance the relevance and impact of academic research across South Asia.
The SARCHE 2026 Conference features eight thematic sessions spread over three days. The opening day focused on “The Current State of Higher Education in South Asia: Governance, Quality and Inclusion” and “Research, Innovation, Sustainability and Social Engagement.”
The second day includes sessions on Artificial Intelligence integration and digital transformation, industry–academia collaboration and graduate employability, future pathways of higher education through regional cooperation, stakeholder dialogue on higher education reform, and a Vice Chancellors’ Dialogue in the context of the HEAT Project.
The final day will address gender issues in higher education, followed by the adoption of the Dhaka Higher Education Declaration.
The conference was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Laureate and Chief Adviser to the Government of Bangladesh.
