Islamabad: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, in collaboration with the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Secretariat and the ECO Educational Institute (ECO-EI), has launched a pivotal two-day Expert Group Meeting on the Internationalisation of Higher Education in the ECO Region. The event, taking place in Islamabad on April 15-16, 2025, brings together key representatives from member countries and international stakeholders.

The meeting aims to draft an action plan to enhance academic collaboration and strategic partnerships within ECO member states. Participants include delegates from Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, the British Council, the European Union, and Eskisehir Anadolu University.

Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of HEC and Chair of the meeting, emphasized the importance of strengthening higher education to ensure regional growth. He noted the challenges faced by both developed and developing countries in adapting to new educational tools and encouraged collaboration to leverage technology and infrastructure for regional progress.

Prof. Mehmet Akif Kirecci, President of ECO-EI, underscored the significance of internationalising higher education to address global educational challenges. He praised ECO’s efforts to unite member countries, fostering academic collaboration and amplifying their presence in the global education landscape.

The meeting’s sessions included discussions on the current state of higher education in the region, input from international organisations, and the presentation of a draft action plan for 2025-2030. The draft plan will be reviewed and refined by experts to ensure comprehensive coverage of internationalisation aspects.