Islamabad: Pakistan and Ethiopia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in education and skills development, following a meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, and Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Oumer Hussien Oba. The discussions focused on expanding collaboration in areas including higher education, technical and vocational education, STEAM education, and research.

According to Press Information Department, the meeting highlighted the importance both countries place on their longstanding relationship, established in 1973, and the opening of the Ethiopian Embassy in Islamabad in 2022 was noted as a significant development in enhancing bilateral ties. A key topic was the draft Memorandum of Understanding on educational cooperation, initially shared with Ethiopia in December 2025. The proposed MoU aims to create a structured framework for cooperation across various educational sectors.

The Federal Minister emphasized the potential for joint initiatives such as seminars, workshops, and cultural exchanges, alongside fostering direct linkages between universities and research institutions. The discussion also covered the role of Pakistan’s National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) in collaborating with Ethiopian institutions on skills development and training programs.

Both parties expressed readiness to advance the draft MoU, with focal persons from each side set to engage on refining the agreement. Ambassador Dr. Oumer Hussien Oba underscored the significance of enhanced cooperation in education and research, emphasizing the potential for collaboration between universities of both nations.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to formalizing the education cooperation framework, aiming to translate cordial relations into practical educational opportunities for students and educators in both countries.