Pakistan seeks greater student enrollment in AI, IT disciplines in China

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th May, 2026) Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui urged Pakistani students to take advantage of educational opportunities in emerging technologies being offered by Chinese universities, particularly in the fields of Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, the minister said nearly 40,000 Pakistani students are currently studying in China, most of them enrolled in medical programs. He emphasized the need to expand student enrollment in IT and AI disciplines while developing a skilled workforce of AI technicians, scientists, and engineering specialists through targeted academic initiatives.

Dr Siddiqui said that during his recent visit to China, he toured major education hub provinces and held meetings with senior Chinese education officials, who agreed to establish sub-campuses of Chinese universities in Pakistan.

He further announced that China had agreed to launch a large-scale technology training initiative in Pakistan through the China-Pakistan TVET-Industrial Center of Excellence (CPTICE).

“We are focusing on intelligent manufacturing and advanced technologies that will equip our youth with state-of-the-art skills and contribute to the country’s development,” the minister said.

The federal minister, accompanied by National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) Chairperson Gulmina Bilal, led a high-level delegation to China from May 13 to 18, 2026.

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During the visit, the delegation participated in the 2026 World Digital Education Conference, held under the theme “Artificial Intelligence + Education,” where Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to digital transformation in education.

The Pakistani delegation also held policy consultations with the Chinese Vice Minister of Education and other senior officials. Both sides agreed to accelerate strategic planning for bilateral education cooperation ahead of the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to China.

China formally invited Pakistan to join the World Digital Education Alliance and proposed several collaborative initiatives, including the establishment of AI Innovation Hubs in Pakistan, cooperation in cross-border e-commerce and intelligent coal mining, and integration into China’s National Smart Education Platform.

The two countries agreed to significantly increase Pakistani student enrollment in IT and AI-related programs in Chinese universities and strengthen cooperation in vocational training, intelligent manufacturing, new energy technologies, and digital education.

The visit also resulted in the signing of six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering technical skills training, vocational education, certification programs, language cooperation, and cultural exchange.