Ethiopian Envoy Hosts COMSATS Rector, Discusses Academic Cooperation
ISLAMABAD (Staff Report): Ambassador of Ethiopia to Pakistan, H.E. Dr. Oumer H. Oba, hosted Rector COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Dr. Raheel Qamar, at the Ethiopian Embassy in Islamabad on Thursday, where the two sides explored avenues for enhanced educational and scientific collaboration over a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
According to a press release issued by the embassy, the meeting was a follow-up to the Ambassador’s recent visit to the COMSATS University campus, where initial discussions on bilateral academic cooperation were held.
During the coffee ceremony at the embassy, both sides discussed ways to build on previous engagements, including student and faculty exchange programs, joint research in science and technology, and collaboration in emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics.
Ambassador Dr. Oumer proposed faculty exchanges as an initial step towards broader institutional cooperation, which could later expand into joint research projects and scientific publications.
He also briefed the COMSATS delegation on Ethiopia’s rich tourism potential, cultural heritage, and history, highlighting the story of coffee, which originated in Ethiopia and has evolved into a traditional ritual symbolizing harmony and hospitality among Ethiopian people.
Dr. Raheel Qamar appreciated Ethiopian coffee culture and lauded the Ambassador’s efforts to strengthen people-to-people and academic linkages between the two countries. He invited Ethiopian universities to visit Pakistan and collaborate with COMSATS in pursuit of shared prosperity, in the spirit of South-South Cooperation.
The Rector assured the Ambassador of his full support in strengthening educational cooperation between Pakistan and Ethiopia and expanding institutional linkages between COMSATS and Ethiopian higher education institutions.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to maintain close coordination to materialize the discussed areas of cooperation.
COMSATS University Islamabad is one of Pakistan’s leading public sector universities with a strong focus on science, technology, and research, while Ethiopia is keen to expand its educational diplomacy with Pakistan as part of its Look East policy.