From Sargodha to Beijing: Shared Future through Sustainable Development Goals
Written By: Dr. Asma Khizar a Participant of ICSF-UoS Fellowship Program 2025-26 at University of Sargodha
The country’s future, at a global crossroads, rests on innovation, high-quality education, and international collaborations. In this regard, the vision “Community of Shared Future for Mankind (CSFM)” created by China, clearly reflects the essence of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations (UN). For decades, Higher Education in Pakistan has been attempting to fulfil national needs and global promises. Despite various challenges, higher education has thrived in keeping pace with the world, and in this regard, China is playing an exemplary role. While there is still a long way to go, encountering the progress inspires further efforts toward sustainability.
Recently, in a discussion with Prof. Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, former Chairman HEC and Prof. Dr Qaiser Abbas, Vice Chancellor University of Sargodha, I came to know how HEC in general, and University of Sargodha, in particular, view higher education in line with global priorities. In the context of global priorities, the former chairman HEC has uttered that students, institutions, and teachers can shape a sustainable future, he added an optimistic view:
“Students are seeds, education institutions serve as soil, and teachers act as the fertilisers”
Excellency lighted the major initiatives the HEC has undertaken structural reforms to uplift education quality and meet global standards, such as Quality Enhancement Cell’s establishment in universities, curriculum reforms, postdoctoral fellowship for faculty, international collaborations like UK-Pakistan Knowledge Gateway, China-Pakistan Higher Education Cooperation, Erasmus+ etc., Pakistan Education & Research Network (PERN) and Two Medium Term Development Frameworks (MTDF) for 2005-2010 and 2010-2015.
Dr Ahmed expressed satisfaction that Pakistan is engaging in joint ventures under the Action Plan to Foster an Even Closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era, which was signed on 3 September 2025. As the governing body, HEC has undertaken numerous collaborative initiatives with China, such as the Silk Road University Alliance (SRUA), CPEC Consortium of Universities, China-Pakistan Joint Research Centre on Earth Sciences established at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, the China-Pakistan Education Cooperation Framework under CPEC, and the BRI, thus guiding Pakistan on the path to achieving sustainable development goals. He spoke
“A shared future demands shared efforts from all stakeholders, working hand in hand with global partners”
Dr Qaiser Abbas, in his opening remarks, said
“Students are the heart, teachers are at the helm, and the administration exists to serve”
He outlined his role to make every possible effort to elevate the University of Sargodha to meet global standards. Various initiatives have been initiated aimed at academic excellence, for instance, faculty peer review, academic audits, entrepreneurship and e-commerce courses, fellowship for staff and students, collaborative research ventures with Republic of China and other countries. He enthusiastically shared the more initiatives the University is going to undertake, including the establishment of Medicine and Health Unit, marketing the KhushAab water at national level, and launch of Agro-Economic Hub. The Agro-Economic Hub entails Climate Smart Farming, High-tech Greenhouses, Value-chain Development, and Agricultural Innovation, Research and Development. Such projects are intended to revolutionizing the regional agricultural landscape by connecting academia with industry. It was exciting to hear that the University of Sargodha is going to establish a campus in Republic of China and further a delegation is being prepared to visit China for this purpose.
“For a sustainable future, the University of Sargodha is placing a strong emphasis on holistic development in the fields of education, agriculture, and health”
Together, mirroring by both dignities, in Pakistan, higher education serves as a knowledge hub which intends to provide a platform to materialize the SDGs for the benefit of mankind. Higher education should focused on the well-being of nations, which can be possible through resource sharing for all. This encompasses global collaboration initiatives, research-driven policy reforms, industrial diversification, and digital innovation. Consequently, higher education ought to cross borders and serve as a bridge for shared progress that connects developed and developing nations alike. Pakistan and China are allied in striving for a shared future and attaining SDGs. Brotherhood between Pakistan-China for a sustainable and inclusive future be contingent on institutions of higher learning in transforming vision into action.
“Stay in stride with the progressive world to build a global future”