On August 25th, Jiangsu University (JSU) and Pak-Austria Fachhochschule: Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (PAF-IAST) formally signed an agreement through Internet video connection, and reached a cooperation agreement to jointly build a Center of Excellence in “Agriculture Food Technologies”, which made contributions to The Belt and Road China-Pakistan Economy Corridor socio-economic development initiatives.

Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman, Chairman Prime Minister’s Task Force on Science and Technology, Foreign Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, winner of China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award, Prof. Nasser A. K., President of PAF-IAST, Prof. Yan Xiaohong, President of JSU, Prof. Zhao Yutao, Vice President of JSU and leaders of relevant departments and schools of the two universities and representatives of teachers and students from China and Pakistan attended the signing ceremony.

PAF-IAST(under construction) is located in Haripur, near the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad. At present, its first phase of construction has been carried out. Under the principles conveyed in the meetings by leaders of China and Pakistan, PAF-IAST is the first University jointly built by the China Pakistan Economic Corridor office and China International Development Cooperation Agency, and led by the Development and Reform Commission of China and Pakistan.

The contracted project is funded by Chinese and Pakistani governments. Focused on agriculture and food processing technology, the two parties intend to establish a Center of Excellence in “Agriculture Food Technologies” under the guidance of JSU. PAF-IAST is responsible for construction, teaching and experimental equipment and facilities. They will work together in terms of talent cultivation and industry-university cooperation both online and offline. PAF-IAST funded the programs for their young teachers to study in China, the “1 + 2 + 1” doctoral degree and the “1 + 2” master’s degree cultivation programs for their students to study in China, as well as the cost of round-trip travel to and from Pakistan and China, and teaching in Pakistan for JSU teachers, etc.