A delegation from COMSATS Secretariat led by the Executive Director COMSATS visited UK from 5th August 2017 to 13th August 2017. He was accompanied by Ambassador (R) Shahid Kamal, and Dr. Arshad Malik, of CIIT. During this visit, the delegates held meetings with officials from Universities UK International; Lancaster University; Commonwealth Secretariat; High Commission of Pakistan in UK; Association of Commonwealth Universities; and British Council London.
Lancaster University: The officials from COMSATS Secretariat held a meeting with Prof. Mark E. Smith, Vice Chancellor, and Prof. Steve Bradley, Pro-Vice Chancellor (International), Lancaster University on 9th August 2017. During the meeting, possible collaborations between COMSATS and Lancaster University were discussed. The officials pledged to provide support to COMSATS for its projects and activities in Member states. They also agreed to work with COMSATS for providing support in setting up the Centres of Excellence in member states.
Universities UK International: On 10th August 2017, the delegates held meeting with Mr. Sean O’Connor, Head of International Engagement (Non-EU) and Mr. Joseph Taylor, Policy Manager, Asia, at Universities UK International. These officials agreed to extending all kinds of support to COMSATS Secretariat for its projects and increased involvement of Centres of Excellence.
Commonwealth Secretariat: The delegation held a meeting with Dr. Nabeel Goheer, Director Strategy, Portfolio and Partnerships Division in Commonwealth Secretariat on 10th August 2017. The Secretariat agreed to provide all kinds of support for these projects.
Pakistan High Commission: COMSATS’ officials met the High Commissioner, Mr. Ibne Abbas, Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Zahid Hafeez Chaidhri, and First Secretary, Mr. Muazam Ali on 10th August 2017. The CIIT projects that have been funded and supported by the High Commission of Pakistan were discussed while also seeking support for future projects of COMSATS.
Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU): The delegates visited ACU on 10th August 2017 and held a meeting with Dr. John Kirkland, Deputy Secretary General, Ms. Liberty Oberlander, Director Membership Development, and Mr. Ben Halls, Director Programmes. The senior officials from the Association agreed to provide support for COMSATS’ Centres of Excellence. The ACU officials also welcomed the involvement of more universities from Pakistan and COMSATS Member states in the association.
British Council London: The officials also conducted a meeting in British Council London with Dr. Shaun Holmes, Science Advisor (Research and Partnership); and Daniel Korbel, Acting Global Director of Science. During the meeting, the officials discussed possible areas of collaboration with the British Council. The British Council agreed to provide technical advices, expertise as well as financial support for different programmes of COMSATS. Earlier, in Pakistan the Executive Director also met the British Council’s Country Director for Pakistan and discussed the possibilities of collaborations with the British Universities.
