Conversation with Dr. Jabir Hussain Syed, Head of China Study Centre, COMSATS University Islamabad
The China Study Center (CSC) at COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) serves as a platform for fostering academic, cultural, and economic ties between Pakistan and China. Established in 2013, the China Study Center has played a pivotal role in promoting mutual understanding and collaboration between the two countries in various domains.
The COMSATS University Islamabad was established in 1998, as COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CII), as a project of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), which is an inter-governmental organization with 27 member states in three continents; Asia, Africa and Latin America, namely Bangladesh, China, Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Yemen and Zimbabwe. Then, CIIT had the status of a public sector degree awarding higher education institution and was given charter by the Federal Government in August 2000. Later, CIIT has been upgraded to a Federally Chartered University in April 2018 under the COMSATS University Islamabad Act 2018.
The CUI functions under the governance of the Senate which is chaired by the Chancellor of the university. The President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan is the Chancellor of the University. Besides, Islamabad it has campuses in Lahore, Abbottabad, Wah, Attock, Sahiwal, Vehari and a Virtual campus as well. The university is one of the leading universities of Pakistan with five (05) broad faculties including Engineering, Information Science and Technology, Business Administration and Architecture and Design with more than 36,000 students and offering 100-degree programs. The CUI is well-known for its trend-setting pedagogical approach, allowing for interdisciplinary methodologies to learning and problem solving, experimentation, and insight. It is ranked among top 3 universities of Pakistan and world’s best 800 universities.
China study Center was established in 2013 at CUI .The CSC has been envisaged as a focal point for all China related activities at the CUI including those pertaining to the educational, scientific, technological, business and cultural domains.
The Center strives to promote joint research and seeks broad based collaboration with Pakistan Study centers and other relevant institutions and Universities in China. It aims to maximize placement of Pakistani scholars in institutes of higher learning in China and seeks to promote students and people to people contacts between Pakistan and China. On the other hand the China Study Center is also taking up the task of portraying and promoting the true Pakistani image to the Chinese people.
In an exclusive conversation with “Huashang News”, Head of China Study Center Dr. Jabir Hussain Syed described the key objectives and specific activities and initiatives undertaken by the China Study Center at COMSATS University Islamabad.
Dr. Jabir H. Syed is an Environmentalist and an ex-PIFI fellow of Chinese Academy of Sciences. His research interests are mainly focused on atmospheric chemistry and to study the impacts of aerosols on environment and climate. Furthermore, he has also worked in the field of ecotoxicology to establish a baseline data for all the major environmental contaminants in the environment of Pakistan. In addition, monitoring and analysis of organic pollutants has been remained his forte which has gained him national as well international recognition. Dr. Syed has extensive research experience and authored/co-authored around 63 research publications in international journals with more than 4000 research citations. Dr. Syed has been nominated twice as one of the productive young researchers in the field of Earth and Environmental Sciences for the years 2017 & 2018 by Pakistan Council for Science and Technology (PCST). He has also won the best paper award for the year 2017 by Higher Education Commission Pakistan (HEC).
In addition, Dr. Syed has been also involved with Ministry of Climate Change, Islamabad Pakistan to develop the Chemical Policy of Pakistan and Updating National Implementation Plan (NIP) for Phasing Out and Elimination of POPs from Pakistan under Stockholm Convention. Currently, he is actively participating in the capacity development process under the project "Climate Adaptation & Resilience (CARE) for South Asia" executed by Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and funded by World Bank.
In his conversation with “Huashang News”, Dr. Jabir Hussain Syed said that China Study Center promotes academic collaboration by facilitating joint research initiatives, student exchange programs, and faculty development opportunities between COMSATS University Islamabad and Chinese universities. It also organizes seminars, conferences, and workshops to encourage academic discourse and knowledge sharing on China-related topics.
Dr. Jabir Hussain Syed said that the China Study Center actively promotes cultural exchanges by organizing events such as Chinese language classes, cultural performances, and film screenings. It also supports student participation in cultural exchange programs with Chinese universities. He further stated that the China Study Center serves as a bridge between Pakistani and Chinese businesses by organizing seminars, workshops, networking events and collaborating with Business Forums of both countries. It also facilitates research on economic issues of mutual interest and promotes opportunities for collaboration in various sectors.
Dr. Jabir Hussain Syed informed about the specific activities and initiatives undertaken by the China Study Center and said that Center has initiated the establishment of Chinese language classes which offers regular Chinese language classes for COMSATS University Islamabad students, providing them with an opportunity to learn the language and deepen their understanding of Chinese culture.
Dr. Jabir Hussain Syed further described that the China Study Center facilitates collaboration between COMSATS University Islamabad researchers and their counterparts in Chinese universities on various research projects of mutual interest. These projects contribute to the advancement of knowledge and innovation in various fields. He said that the China Study Center also actively promotes student exchange programs between COMSATS University Islamabad and Chinese universities, providing students with the opportunity to study and experience life in each other's countries. These programs foster cultural understanding and broaden perspectives. He further stated that China Study Center hosts a variety of cultural events throughout the year, including Chinese New Year celebrations, traditional Chinese performances, and film screenings. These events foster cultural appreciation and promote cross-cultural understanding.
Dr. Jabir Hussain Syed said that the China Study Center regularly organizes seminars and workshops on China-related topics, inviting experts from both Pakistan and China to share their knowledge and insights. These events provide participants with valuable insights into contemporary China. Recently the Center had organised multiple events to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Belt and Road Initiative and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
About the impact of the China Study Center at COMSATS University Islamabad, Dr. Jabir Hussain Syed said that the China Study Center has played a significant role in strengthening academic, cultural, and economic ties between Pakistan and China. Its initiatives have fostered mutual understanding, collaboration, and knowledge exchange between the two countries. Additionally, the China Study Center has contributed to the development of human capital in Pakistan by providing students with opportunities to learn Chinese language and culture and engage in international academic and cultural exchanges.
Dr. Jabir Hussain Syed said that through its diverse range of activities and initiatives, the China Study Center at COMSATS University Islamabad serves as a catalyst for strengthening the relationship between Pakistan and China, promoting mutual understanding, and fostering collaboration across various domains.
About the dividends of CPEC reaching to the ordinary people of Pakistan, Dr. Jabir Hussain Syed said that the people of Pakistan has undoubtedly started to receive the dividends of CPEC as you can witness that there was a severe energy crises before the CPEC and no other country was willing to help Pakistan. That was the time China gave a helping hand to Pakistan by launching CPEC. He said that most of the early harvest projects under the first phase of CPEC relating to power and infrastructure have been completed. In the first Phase of CPEC, the energy and Infrastructure projects were completed and now it is the phase of Special Economic Zones (SEZs). Special Economic Zones being built as part of CPEC offer attractive incentives and facilities for Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan. The response of Chinese enterprises is very encouraging. In future, these zones would become a major recipient of Chinese investment and play a leading role in the up-gradation of Pakistan’s industrial capacity.
Dr. Jabir Hussain Syed further stated that the Special Economic Zones play a crucial role in the CPEC acting as catalysts for industrial development, economic growth, and technological advancement in Pakistan. These designated areas offer unique advantages to businesses, including tax breaks, simplified regulations, and access to modern infrastructure, making them attractive investment destinations. He said that Special Economic Zones are envisioned as hubs for export-oriented industries, with the potential to boost Pakistan’s exports and strengthen its position in the global market. They are also expected to create substantial employment opportunities, contributing to poverty reduction and raising living standards in the country.
He said that the development of Special Economic Zones under CPEC is a collaborative effort between Pakistan and China, with Chinese investments playing a significant role in financing and construction projects. This collaboration has brought valuable expertise and technology to Pakistan, aiding in the establishment of world-class industrial facilities. Dr. Jabir said that several Special Economic Zones have already been established along the CPEC route, including the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone in Karachi, the Allama Iqbal Industrial City in Faisalabad, and the Rashakai Special Economic Zone in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These Special Economic Zones are attracting investments from various sectors, including manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and information technology.
Dr. Jabir Hussain Syed said that the success of Special Economic Zones in CPEC will depend on a number of factors, including a stable political environment, efficient governance, and the availability of skilled labor. The Pakistani government is taking steps to address these challenges and create a conducive environment for business growth. He further stated that the Special Economic Zones hold immense potential for Pakistan's economic development, and their integration into the CPEC framework is a promising step towards achieving these goals. By fostering industrial growth, creating jobs, and facilitating technology transfer, Special Economic Zones can contribute significantly to Pakistan's journey towards a more prosperous and vibrant economy.
Dr. Jabir Hussain Syed said that the CPEC is a symbol and icon for togetherness. It threatens no one; it will benefit all, most of all common people who will see a boom in jobs and businesses, and positive change in their lives. We are glad that the entrepreneurs from the other countries too have shown confidence in CPEC and a keen interest to invest in Pakistan. The socioeconomic dividends of CPEC and its direct impact on improving people’s livelihoods would also help in reducing our reliance on domestic and external borrowing.
About China Pakistan relations, its importance and the future of these relations, Dr. Jabir Hussain Syed said that Pakistan and China enjoy historic, unique and special bilateral relations. It is a timeless and time-tested friendship nurtured by successive generations of the leadership and the peoples of the two countries. He said that regardless of change in regional and international political landscape, our two countries have always stood together and have always extended solidarity and support to each other. He further stated that many poetic expressions have been used to describe our friendship like “higher than mountains, deeper than oceans and sweeter than honey”. After over seven decades of diplomatic relations, our two countries enjoy relationship marked by strong political support, strategic trust and practical cooperation. He said that this is truly an All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership which has few parallel in the history of interstate relationship.
Dr. Jabir Hussain Syed was of the view that Pakistan should learn from Chinese expertise as China's development is a role model for rest of the world. Rather than any stand-alone area of cooperation, the bilateral relations between the two countries are spread over wide spectrum of areas including trade, investment, industry, agriculture, IT, tourism, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges. He said that while there is a strong government to government cooperation and support across a broad range of spectrum, it is the affection and goodwill between our two people which has created a strong bond of affinity and brotherhood. It is truly a heart to heart relationship. In recent times, he stated that there is a strong emphasis on economic cooperation; China is our largest trading partner and a prime source of foreign investment. We also have robust defence ties while cultural cooperation is rooted in ancient history and is being further strengthened through frequent people-to-people exchanges.
Dr. Jabir Hussain Syed have praised the Belt and Road Forum recently held in Beijing where more than 150 countries and organisations from around the world participated. He said that in just 10 years, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), President Xi Jinping's signature vision for global development, has become one of the world’s most popular public goods, bringing many developing countries chances for development. He said that the gathering in Beijing offered a historic opportunity for all BRI partners to build on the initiative’s remarkable achievements and progress toward common prosperity.
Dr. Jabir Hussain Syed said that in 2013, President Xi unveiled his proposal to jointly build a Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, dubbed the Belt and Road Initiative. Since then, the BRI has evolved from ideas into actions and from a vision into reality. By June 2023, China had signed more than 200 BRI cooperation agreements with over 150 countries and 30-plus international organizations across five continents, yielding a number of signature projects and small-scale yet impactful projects.
Editor : Tahir Murtaza
