Munter lauds Pak-US ventures

* Envoy visits COMSATS Institute of Information Technology and commends it

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: US Ambassador Cameron Munter, during his visit to COMSATS Institute of Information Technology on Tuesday, commended the institute for building strong institutional linkages with the US universities, including University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and North Dakota State University.

“Through these institutional partnerships, the COMSATS has sent students and faculty to collaborate with their American counterparts at these universities. The students and faculty members then return home to build Pakistan’s cadre of technical experts.

To address Pakistan’s energy needs, for example, COMSATS and North Dakota State University students have collaborated to design solar-powered water heaters. This is just one shining success of the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, signed by both the countries in 2003, which connects 36 of Pakistan’s finest universities and research centres with 58 American universities.

Building further on this successful cooperation, the United States and Pakistan are establishing the Centres for Advanced Studies in water, agriculture and energy sectors at three Pakistani universities. This collaboration brings together the best minds in academia, government, and the business community to research and develop solutions to meet the food, water, and energy demands of a growing population, while contributing to broad-based economic growth in Pakistan.

“The Science and Technology Agreement and the Centres for Advanced Studies pave the way forward in the US-Pakistan relations. Students represent the future; they are the country’s future policy makers, academics and business leaders, and their leadership will help bring our important bilateral relationship closer to one based in trade, not just aid. The United States is proud to be partners with Pakistan to support the science, technology, and education sectors,” Ambassador Munter stated.

Earlier upon arrival, Rector Dr SM Junaid Zaidi and other senior officials of the institute welcomed Cameron Munter. The rector, in his introductory presentation, briefed the US ambassador about the numerous achievements of the CIIT since its inception in 2000. The ambassador highlighted the progress made by the CIIT and appreciated its management for attaining the high standards in the higher education in a short span of time.

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