ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the Maldives have taken a significant step towards strengthening educational ties, with the Maldives National University signing agreements with five Pakistani universities to expand academic exchanges, joint research and institutional cooperation.
Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) facilitated the agreements on Wednesday during the three-day state visit of Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to Pakistan. The initiative aims to create new opportunities for students, academics and researchers while deepening educational links between the two countries.
HEC Pakistan facilitated the signing of five MoUs between Maldives National Uni (MNU) and five leading Pakistani unis to strengthen bilateral academiccooperation. The initiative coincided with the historic 3-day state visit of Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to Pakistan. https://t.co/XbEPjmiuRI
— HEC Pakistan (@hecpkofficial) October 21, 2026
Five Pakistani universities sign MoUs
The HEC organised a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony at its secretariat in Islamabad, where Maldives National University Vice Chancellor Dr Aishath Shehenaz Adam signed agreements with the heads and representatives of five Pakistani institutions.
The participating universities are:
- National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)
- Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR)
- University of Wah
- Government College University (GCU) Lahore
- Foundation University Islamabad
HEC Chairman Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar and Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the Maldives Faisal Rasool Lodhi attended the ceremony alongside vice chancellors and senior HEC officials.
The agreements are intended to promote joint research, faculty and student exchanges, academic programmes, conferences, seminars and knowledge sharing between the participating institutions.
HEC promotes joint degree programmes and research collaboration
Addressing the ceremony, HEC Chairman Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar highlighted the potential for closer academic engagement between Pakistan and the Maldives, saying the agreements would help translate bilateral relations into practical cooperation between universities.
He encouraged the participating institutions to explore joint and dual-degree programmes and collaborative research initiatives to create long-term benefits for students and academic communities in both countries.
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Dr Akhtar also highlighted the growth of Pakistan’s higher education sector, noting that the number of Pakistani institutions appearing in international rankings had increased from two in 2015 to 56 in 2026.
He reaffirmed the HEC’s commitment to supporting educational cooperation with the Maldives and facilitating partnerships between universities in the two countries.
Maldives seeks cooperation in science and climate research
Maldives National University Vice Chancellor Dr Aishath Shehenaz Adam welcomed the HEC initiative, saying the agreements would build on existing academic cooperation and help develop practical projects benefiting students, faculty members and researchers.
She noted that her university already had collaborative links with Pakistani institutions in medical education, university management systems, agriculture, food sciences and law.
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Dr Adam identified joint research, postgraduate studies, staff and student exchanges, and academic development as priority areas for expanding cooperation.
She also highlighted opportunities for Pakistan to benefit from Maldivian expertise in tourism and hospitality, while both countries could explore joint initiatives in marine sciences, environmental sustainability and climate change.
The two countries could also collaborate on challenges facing small island nations, particularly those linked to environmental pressures and climate-related risks.
