ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top ranking University National University of Science & Technology (NUST) has adopted the newly established University of Baltistan Skardu in a ceremony held at NUST between the two universities.

In an unprecedented move, NUST Rector Lt General (r) Naweed Zaman and UOBS Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan signed an MoU at Rector’s Office, NUST. Pro-Rector (Academics) Dr Asif Raza, Pro-Rector (RIC) Dr Nassar Ikram and UOBS PD Engr Muhammad Idrees, along with principal officers of NUST, were also present on the occasion.

NUST’s number one ranking in Pakistan and amongst 500 world ranking by M/S Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) of UK, has opened the doors for newly established Baltistan University, under the vision of president of Pakistan, the chancellor to the federally chartered universities that leading universities should adopt the newly borne universities.

According to the accord signed, both the universities have agreed to launch a joint research support programme and collaboration in the field of faculty training, student exchange, summer schools, artificial intelligence & robotics, glaciology, tourism, business incubation, minerals and others. The UOBS students shall have access to the NUST laboratories and placement in courses in winter vacations. The progress of the joint venture shall be monitored by both the Rector NUST & UOBS VC in the follow-up progress meetings held after every six months.

UOBS Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan thanked the NUST rector for providing extensive cooperation to the UOBS situated in a strategically important region of Baltistan in the wake of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the gateway of Himalayan Glaciers.