Islamabad: The Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (COMSTECH) is hosting two high-level delegations from Kenya and Malaysia on a visit to Pakistan aimed at expanding cooperation in the areas of health, higher education, scientific research, innovation, capacity building, and strengthening institutional partnerships among OIC member states.According to Union of OIC News Agencies, the Kenyan delegation, headed by Mandera County Governor Mohamed Aden Khalifa, visited Pakistan as part of the COMSTECH program to support Muslim communities in non-member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The delegation includes several senior officials and experts in the health and development sector, with the aim of benefiting from Pakistani expertise in developing health services, medical education, scientific research, and institutional capacity building.Former Malaysian Senator and Chairman of the Malaysian My Prodigy Foundation, Tuan J azeeri Alkaf, is also visiting Pakistan to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in the fields of science and technology, higher education, innovation, youth empowerment, and socio-economic development, which will contribute to strengthening the partnership between Malaysia, Pakistan, and the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.The two delegations are scheduled to hold a series of meetings with COMSTECH leadership, along with a number of leading Pakistani universities, hospitals, and research institutions, including the University of Lahore, Shahid Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto University of Medical Sciences, Al Shifa International Hospital, Al Shifa Tamir Millat University, Al Shifa Hospital for Vision Restoration, the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, and the Pakistan Food and Drug Authority, to discuss opportunities for cooperation in the fields of healthcare, ophthalmology, medical education, joint research, technology transfer, training and fellowship programs, and human resource deve lopment.The two delegations will also participate in the Islamic Forum for the Advancement of Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, organized by COMSTECH, with the participation of government officials, university presidents, scientists, diplomats, and representatives of academic and research institutions from several Islamic countries, with the aim of promoting scientific and technological cooperation among member states.COMSTECH General Coordinator, Professor Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Chaudhry, affirmed that these visits reflect COMSTECH's growing role in employing scientific diplomacy to enhance cooperation among Islamic countries, noting that linking universities, research centers, and health institutions opens new horizons for exchanging experiences, building capacities, and launching joint projects that serve sustainable development in the Islamic world.He added that COMSTECH will continue, in cooperation with partner institutions in Pakistan, to implement initiatives that contribute to supporti ng education, scientific research, and innovation, enhancing health services, and building human capacities, in service of the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Muslim communities around the world.
