Islamabad, 16 April 2025 — The Secretariat of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), Islamabad, received a distinguished delegation from Robert Gordon University (RGU), Aberdeen, Scotland, to explore avenues for strategic academic cooperation between the United Kingdom and COMSATS Member States.
The visiting delegation, comprising senior faculty members from Robert Gordon University (RGU)—Professor Lynn Kilbride, Deputy Vice Chancellor; Dr. Dan Allen, Dean of Gray’s School of Art; and Dr. John Isaacs, Dean of the School of Computing, Engineering and Technology—was welcomed by senior officials at the COMSATS Secretariat. The discussions revolved around establishing joint initiatives in research, innovation, and higher education, particularly within the domains of health sciences, computing, engineering, architecture, and the creative industries. Emphasis was placed on fostering impactful collaborations focused on research commercialization, industry-academia synergy, and capacity enhancement across COMSATS’ regional network.
As part of the engagement, the delegation also visited COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI)—COMSATS’ Centre of Excellence in Pakistan—where strategic dialogues were held with campus leadership to explore co-development of programs, joint degrees, and faculty exchange. Both institutions underscored the imperative of addressing shared global and regional challenges through integrative, interdisciplinary partnerships that leverage complementary strengths.
The Executive Director COMSATS provided an overview of COMSATS’ Network of International S&T Centres of Excellence (COEs), highlighting institutional efforts to facilitate South-South and Triangular Cooperation, and strengthen innovation ecosystems across member states. The delegation from RGU, in turn, presented their global engagement strategy and reaffirmed their interest in expanding institutional presence and partnerships in the Global South.
The visit was facilitated in collaboration with the Pakistan, United Kingdom and Ireland Business Council of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI). Ranked among the top ten in the UK for teaching quality, RGU is internationally recognized for its entrepreneurial orientation and mission-driven research addressing global development priorities.
This engagement marks a constructive step towards deepening cross-border academic alliances, with a shared vision of promoting innovation-led growth, knowledge exchange, and socio-economic advancement across regions.
