PESHAWAR: The University of Peshawar and Shandong University of Science and Technology of China have reached an agreement for starting PhD split programme and establishing of Chinese language centre at UoP.

According to a press release issued here on Tuesday, the agreement, which would remain effective for three years, was signed by UoP vice chancellor Professor Mohammad Rasul Jan and president of Shangdong University of Science and Technology Professor Ren Tingqi, at a ceremony held in Shangdong, China, the other day.

The press release said that the agreement was part of steps to implement the vision 2020 for internalisation of higher education institutions in Pakistan.

The two varsities agreed to enhance cooperation in the field of PhD programme, teaching and research, arranging workshops and seminars, training of students and faculty, establishment of Chinese language and cultural centre, joint publication of academic and research results and launching joint research projects.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Jan said that the purpose of the collaboration was to explore potentially beneficial research and community based projects. He added that China was the most feasible option for Pakistan for development of education through joint efforts and thereby strengthening the people to people bonds.

Mr Jan said that educational linkages between the two countries were only a decade old and needed to be taken forward for the benefit of people of both the countries.

The agreement would enable the two universities to develop appropriate communication linkages in order to facilitate information transfer, said president of Shangdong University, Professor Ren Tingqi.

He added that exploration activities such as exchange of students and faculty for research would mutually benefit the two varsities.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2014