Pak-China Alumni Association Launched to Boost Educational Ties
News Desk
Islamabad: On the occasion of the 74th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China, graduates of Pakistani origin from Chinese universities have officially launched the Pakistan-China Alumni Association (PCAA), aiming to strengthen educational collaboration and people-to-people linkages under the growing strategic partnership.
At its inaugural meeting, Dr Furqan Rao was elected as the President of the PCAA, with Dr Arif appointed as Senior Vice President and Dr Aftab Ahmad as the General Secretary. Other office bearers include Dr Mazhar Gondal as Chief Coordinator, Dr Mehmood as Additional General Secretary, and Mr Hanan as the Information Secretary.
The association’s core mission is to connect, communicate, collaborate, and create opportunities for Pakistani graduates of Chinese institutions, enabling them to play a pivotal role in national development. It also aims to serve as a bridge for academic and professional collaboration between institutions in both countries.
“Pakistan now ranks third globally in the number of international students in China,” noted Dr Rao. “Our graduates hold the potential to become future leaders as Pakistan and China work toward modernization through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).”
According to 2019 data, over 28,000 Pakistani students were studying in Chinese universities, many of them on fully-funded scholarships. China remains the top education destination for Pakistani students.
Speaking at the event, Dr Furqan outlined the PCAA’s objectives: “We aim to enhance educational engagement by providing support through training, scholarship programs, and career development initiatives. Our focus is on human resource development, equipping students and young professionals with skills vital for national progress.”
Dr Arif highlighted the role of China graduates in contributing to Pakistan’s socio-economic growth under CPEC: “There’s no time to wait. Let’s begin immediately by uniting and creating avenues for collaboration.”
Dr Aftab echoed the sentiment, stressing the association’s vision to empower graduates with leadership skills and knowledge essential for supporting the long-term China-Pakistan partnership.
Sabahuddin Qazi, former media manager at Huawei-Pakistan, emphasized the importance of education diplomacy, underscoring PCAA’s plans to collaborate with top Chinese institutions. “We aim to promote a shared future vision for China and Pakistan through educational partnerships and professional networking.”
The hybrid meeting was attended by dozens of graduates—both in person and virtually—including founding members Dr Tehreem, Ms. Nawal Fatima, and Sadaf Zulfiqar, who pledged continued efforts to amplify the role of China graduates in advancing bilateral relations.
