Chinese delegation visits UMT

LAHORE: A high-level diplomatic mission from Peoples Republic of China, headed by Dr Baige Zhao and Chinese Academy of Social Sciences President Wang Weiguang, visited University of Management and Technology (UMT), Lahore, where they were briefed on the recently established CPEC Business Research Center and other university activities related to the mega project.

UMT Rector Dr Muhammad Aslam and CPEC Center Director Dr Haroon Rasheed greeted the delegation and introduced the university and its ongoing projects regarding CPEC. Expressing his views, the sector said that after CPEC, the relationship between China and Pakistan has entered into new era. He appreciated the Chinese government for taking interest in stabilising Pakistan’s economy. Dr Aslam said that a number of activities like instruction of Chinese language, research and training of the faculty and interaction with Chinese universities were being carried out to prepare educational institutions of both the countries for the CPEC project.

Speaking on the occasion, Wang Weiguang said that they were visiting Pakistani universities as per instructions of the Central government that wanted them to engage in talks with university officials to research on CPEC and build public opinion.

Dr Baige said that CPEC was a huge project that would change the fate of both the countries. He said that people of China and Pakistan would greatly benefit from the project, especially young entrepreneurs and engineers studying at universities would have ample opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and skills for CPEC. She appreciated the UMT management for raising awareness regarding CPEC and setting up the Business Research Centre at the varsity.

The delegation assured that the Chinese government would collaborate with UMT regarding joint research on CPEC and how job and business opportunities could be created for students. They also discussed various ways of engaging business community of both the countries to create synergies regarding CPEC operations. Later on, the delegation exchanged information regarding various aspects of CPEC and its futuristic scope in the region. Replying to a query whether the changing of governments in Pakistan would affect the CPEC project, Dr Baige Zhao said that changing of government in Pakistan was not a problem at all that could affect CPEC, as the project aimed at uniting people of both the countries who were the real stakeholders.

Earlier, a flag hoisting ceremony took place in the varsity where flags of both the countries were hoisted by respective officials.