On 19th June 2017, a delegation from COMSATS headed by Executive Director COMSATS, Dr. Junaid Zaidi, visited the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in order to hold a meeting with the Ambassador of Sudan to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Tageldin Elhadi Eltahir. Dr. Zaidi was accompanied by Mr. Tajammul Hussain (Advisor Programmes); Mr. Laeeq H. Jaswal (Manager Strategic Partnerships at CIIT’s Centre for Policy Studies); and Mr. Shahzad Ahmed (Manager at CIIT’s International Office). Also present during the meeting was the First Secretary Ms. Ebtihal Mohammed Osman Bashir.

The Executive Director expressed his desire to further strengthen COMSATS’ working relations with Sudan. He mentioned the active participation of Industrial Research and Consultancy Centre (IRCC), Sudan, in COMSATS’ programmes. He also appreciated the Annual Membership Contribution made by Sudan on regular basis. Dr. Zaidi expressed COMSATS’ desire to replicate the institution building success in the form of CIIT in Sudan by establishing a university under the umbrella of COMSATS. He emphasized the need for having a state-of-the-art facility to impart important knowledge to the people of Sudan.

Dr. Zaidi also invited the Sudanese Professors to visit Pakistan and share their best practices and carry out research in CIIT. He also affirmed that the Professors would only need to spend on air fare while the rest of the expenses will be borne by the host institution.
The Ambassador thanked the Executive Director and appreciated his efforts. He expressed his willingness of Sudanese government to enhance cooperation and work with the partner organizations. The Ambassador showed keen interest in the Professor exchange program and collaborations regarding capacity building events.

While answering a question, Dr. Zaidi explained the scholarship offers from COMSATS CoEs. He mentioned that students have to secure the admission first in order to get facilitated by scholarships. In Pakistan, he informed, scholarships are offered for Masters and PhD programmes and only cover tuition fee and lodging. Students need to cover their traveling cost, food and books. However, a mechanism is being worked out with Islamic Development Bank to ensure that these scholarships provide a total financial relief to students from some of the COMSATS’ member states.

Mr. Hussain noted that a few capacity building events have been held in Sudan in collaboration with Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and IRCC. He also apprised the Ambassador about the upcoming events scheduled to be held later this year. Mr. Hussain also mentioned that the students have now stopped coming to Pakistan and are not availing any scholarships to which the Ambassador responded by directing the First Secretary to send a reminder to relevant quarters for the students to take benefit from this opportunity.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Ambassador along with the First Secretary thanked the delegation.