Islamabad: 20 Feb: International Islamic University Islamabad and Pak-China Centre launched monthly ‘Youlin’ (Good Neighbours) during a ceremony on Faisal Mosque Campus. Speaking on the occasion, IIUI Rector Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik announced opening of China Studies Centre at the university.
A 22-member delegation from Chine, IIUI Acting President Sahibzada Sajid-ur-Rehman, PML-Q leader Mushahid Hussain Syed, chairman Choudhry Shujaat Hussain, magazine editor Dushka Syed, Agha Murtaza Poya, Dr. Khalid Masood and other scholars attended the event. Professor Malik appreciated Pak-China friendship saying that Pak-China Centre means non-political and real friendship between the two countries, credit for which goes to Mushahid Hussain Syed. He said Syed has a clean personality and his endeavours are resulting into consolidation of Pak-China friendship. He said Syed is a political scientist and a politician, urging the need for political scientists to join practical politics. He also announced that the university intends to set up a China Study Centre, dedicated to researching and teaching regional and international affairs related to China.
He said Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had urges Muslims of His time to seek knowledge even if they have to go to China. He said Pakistan wants to utilize full benefits of this friendship in the field of knowledge and research.
Sahibzada Sajid said peoples of the two countries are tied into historic bonds of fraternity and friendship. He said, “We take great pride in the fact that China has been most sincere and dependable friend of Pakistan”.
He said that furthermore it is also a matter of great satisfaction for me that mutual cooperation, between the IIUI and China has been mutually rewarding. On other hand, we have a number of faculty members who have done PhD from China in the field of Electrical Engineering, Physics, Nanotechnology and other subject. I can say that through their knowledge and competence in teaching and research they have proved to be good ambassadors of their respective Universities in China. On the other hand, at this IIUI we have 660 students from China studying in various disciplines, which is the highest number of Chinese students in any university of Pakistan. They form a great community in this university, while pursuing their respective academic degree program, He said.
He said, “At the global level, I consider People’s Republic of China as the giant global power house of Economic growth, which we wish to emulate. This is no less than a miracle that within the past few decades you have defied all Western Economic predictions by jumping to become the 2nd biggest economy in the world. I am sure you are still in hot pursuit for the top slot.
He said that IIUI has already signed MOUs with a few Chinese universities. I would earnestly propose, on behalf of IIU and the Chinese students here, that we should expand the existing academic and research cooperation for the mutual benefit of our both countries. Choudhry Shujaat Hussain said Pak-China Centre is a major source of people-to-people contact between the two countries. He said monthly ‘Youlin’ will serve to promote culture of tourism between the two countries.
Pak-China Centre Chairman Senator Mushahid Hussain said the centre was originated from the IIUI and opening ceremony of ‘Youlin’ is also taking place on the same campus. He said IIUI is the institution to host the highest number of Chinese students (over 500) in Pakistan. He said Pak-China Centre will fully cooperate with the IIUI for establishment of China Studies Centre. Earlier, the Chinese delegation visited Faisal Mosque.
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