ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal Joined YÖK-Coordinated Delegation Visit to Pakistan

ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal visited Pakistan as part of a delegation coordinated by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), which included the rectors of ten universities from Türkiye. During the meetings, higher education representatives from both countries aimed to strengthen the long‑standing cooperation between Türkiye and Pakistan through expanded scientific and technological partnerships.

The delegation, led by YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar and composed of the rectors of ten Turkish universities, visited Pakistan between 13–16 September 2026.

The Türkiye–Pakistan Universities Forum was held on 14 September under the co‑chairmanship of YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar and Pakistan Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, with the participation of the rectors of 25 leading Pakistani universities.

Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal noted that the visit reviewed the progress made since last year’s initial engagements, including existing collaborations with universities with which ITU has signed memoranda of understanding, as well as potential new steps for the coming period. Discussions with Pakistani universities focused on new cooperation opportunities in joint research projects, student and faculty mobility, graduate studies, and technology development. He highlighted PAUSAT‑1, ITU’s cube satellite, as one of the strongest examples of Türkiye–Pakistan collaboration. (PAUSAT‑1 was jointly developed by İstanbul Technical University and Air University Pakistan. Prof. Dr. Alim Rüstem Aslan and the ITU‑USTTL team contributed to its development.)

Emphasizing their commitment to strengthening cooperation between Türkiye and Pakistan in science, technology, and higher education, Rector Prof. Dr. Mandal underscored the importance of building lasting, impact‑oriented partnerships grounded in a “learning together, developing together, succeeding together” approach. He met with representatives from several of Pakistan’s leading higher education and research institutions, including Bahria University and the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST).