Rectors and Vice Chancellors from OIC Countries Visit TUF for Academic Collaboration

A distinguished delegation of Vice Chancellors, Rectors, Directors, Deans and Professors from renowned universities of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries visited The University of Faisalabad to promote educational collaboration among Islamic countries, improve academic standards, and promote the exchange of resources on a global scale.

The 30-member delegation including representatives from Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia, such as Prof Datuk Dr Shahrin Bin Sahib, Vice Chancellor, Prof Ts Dr Norazah Abdul Rahman, Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation, Ms Nur Syazwani binti Ahamad Azahari, Prof Ir Dr Ahmad Sabirin Zoolfakar, Director BITCOM /COMSTECH and Mr Afizul bin Sobri. From the University of Technology Sarawak, Malaysia, attendees included Prof Datuk Dr Khairuddin Ab Hamid, Vice Chancellor, W/o Prof Khairuddin and Prof Dr Tariq Zaman, Professor, IT Services, Heritage, AI. Somali National University was represented by Prof Hassan Osman Ga'al, Rector, while Islamic University in Uganda included Prof Dr Ismail Simbwa Gyagenda, Rector. Dhaka International University in Bangladesh was represented by Prof Dr M Hafizur Rahman, COMSTECH Focal Person for Bangladesh, and Mr Mahdi Amini, Director of International Cooperation Department, MSTF in Iran. From Benadir University, Somalia, Prof Dr Mohamed Mohamoud Hassan, Rector, participated, alongside representatives from Islamic Call University, Uganda: Dr Idris Abdallah, Acting Vice Chancellor, and Dr Adnan Ali Adikata, International Relations Manager. Palestine Technical University-Kadoorie (PTUK), West Bank, Palestine, was represented by Prof Hussein Shanak, President, and the University of Palestine, Gaza, Palestine, by Prof Dr Salem Sabbah, Head of the Board of Trustees. Additional participants included Prof Hamza Mustafa Njozi, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic from Muslim University of Morogoro, Tanzania; Prof Dr M Taleb Khyar Djeh Cheikh Malainine, Director General, from the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation, Mauritania; Dr Arif Nuryawan, Secretary to Directorate of Internationalization and Global Partnership from Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia; and Prof Dr Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan, Professor of Clinical Nutrition, from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Additionally, Mr Muhammad Murtaza Noor, Advisor Linkages & Media, COMSTECH and Dr Muhammad Shahzad Sarfraz, Director Fast National University, Chiniot Campus were also part of the delegation.

The delegation was warmly welcomed by Dr Muhammad Hamza Amin, Vice Chairman Board of Governors, Prof Dr Amanullah Malik, Rector, TUF, and Dr Zahida Maqbool, Registrar, TUF. During the meeting, Dr Zahida Maqbool presented a detailed overview of the initiatives of Madinah Foundation, including TUF, University Medical and Dental College, Madinah Teaching Hospital, and various welfare projects. The delegates praised Madinah Foundation’s contributions to health and education at national and international levels and commended TUF for its global university ranking achievements.

The OIC education leaders expressed keen interest in promoting academic partnerships between TUF and prominent universities in their respective countries. They invited TUF management to visit their universities to explore opportunities for collaboration. The visiting vice-chancellors emphasized the importance of joint research and the exchange of educational resources to elevate academic standards and create new opportunities for students.

In a meeting with heads of various TUF departments, discussions focused on academic reforms, cutting-edge research, and global cooperation, which are expected to strengthen relations among member countries. Palestinian university representatives expressed gratitude to TUF for offering free educational opportunities to Palestinian students. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Muhammad Hamza Amin thanked the delegation for their visit and highlighted that the meeting would further enhance TUF’s international standing among OIC member countries. He emphasized the role of educational cooperation in promoting global peace and development. Prof Dr Aman Ullah Malik expressed hope that this collaboration would pave the way for successful partnerships between member countries’ universities in the future.

As a part of TUF Go Green Initiative, the guests also planted saplings in the university’s lawn to mark their visit, symbolizing unity and a commitment to educational excellence among Islamic countries.