Pakistan, China, and ‘golden triangle’ for academic and innovation partnership explored

Lahore: In a landmark initiative aimed at forging cross-continental educational and innovation synergies, the Pakistan-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) hosted a high-level meeting with renowned scholar and academic leader, Professor Dr. Alaa Garad, Pro Vice Chancellor of Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education in Scotland.

The meeting took place at the PCJCCI Secretariat in Lahore and signaled the beginning of a visionary collaboration among Pakistan, China, and Scotland.

According to a PCJCCI statement, the meeting was marked by a shared commitment to building long-term strategic partnerships in education, innovation, and cultural exchange. Prof. Dr. Garad introduced the concept of the “Golden Triangle” — a trilateral framework to facilitate cooperation between institutions and communities across the three nations.

This initiative envisions a dynamic platform where joint academic programs, faculty exchanges, applied research, and innovation-driven projects can thrive. Prof. Dr. Garad emphasized the potential of this alliance to act as a bridge between East and West, bringing together the best practices and academic strengths of all three countries to foster sustainable development and knowledge-based progress.

PCJCCI Secretary General Salahuddin Hanif welcomed the initiative and highlighted practical avenues to formalize the collaboration, such as launching innovation incubators, entrepreneurship exchanges, and skill-building workshops. The dialogue particularly focused on collaboration in emerging technologies, sustainable development, and inclusive education.

Commercial Ambassador of PCJCCI, Imtiaz Mehmood, shared insights into how commercial diplomacy could accelerate educational ties and underscored the role of public-private partnerships in upskilling the workforce for a global knowledge economy.

Prof. Dr. Garad also outlined the potential contributions of Al-Maktoum College, offering its expertise in Islamic economics, international relations, and leadership studies. He proposed the organization of academic conferences, cultural exhibitions, and student exchange programs to deepen people-to-people connections and academic engagement.

Vice President PCJCCI, Zafar Iqbal, reaffirmed the Chamber’s full commitment to serve as a facilitator for this transformative partnership. He termed the Golden Triangle initiative a step toward “shared knowledge, cultural understanding, and technological advancement” and stressed PCJCCI’s role in bringing together policymakers, academic leaders, and business stakeholders to make this vision a reality.