ISLAMABAD, April 10: An agreement for establishing academic cooperation was signed between China’s Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) and the National University of Modern Languages (Numl) here on Tuesday.

According to a press release, BLCU President Prof Cui Xiliang and Numl Rector Brig (retired) Aziz Ahmad Khan signed the agreement.

Under the agreement both universities will cooperate in exchange of academic information and will collaborate on issues of mutual interest focusing on faculty development, research and exchange of students for higher studies.

Besides, both parties will encourage strengthening of this linkage by finding possibilities of establishing sub-linkages among faculties and disciplines.

This will help increase their professional qualification and participate in conferences, seminars, workshops, joint researches and other professional activities.

Confucius Institute: Confucius Institute set up at the National University of Modren Languages.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the institute at NUML on Monday, Prof Dr Cui Xiliang, president of Beijing Language and Culture University, said the Confucius Institute would promote learning of Chinese language in Pakistan and contribute to further strengthening bilateral relations.

Minister for Education Lt-Gen (retired) Javed Ashraf Qazi said concerted steps were being taken to promote learning of English alongside the national language to meet present-day challenges.

He was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Confucius Institute established for teaching Chinese at the National University of Modern Languages (Numl) here.

The minister said the government was investing more resources to improve education.

Noting that only 1.4 per cent of schools had English medium in the country, the minister said more measures were being taken to provide opportunities for students to learn English, the language of science and technology.

Later, talking to mediapersons, the minister said owing to effective reforms in the education sector, the volume of enrolment had considerably increased at primary level.

Earlier, Chinese Charge d’ Affaires in Pakistan Mao Siwei said Confucius Institute would go a long way in promoting Chinese language in the host country.

The diplomat said the close multi-faceted ties between the two countries were visible in all spheres, and referred to Karakurum Highway, JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft and Gwadar port.

He also appreciated Numl for promoting quality education in the country and said students were playing an important role in promoting relations between the two countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Numl Rector Prof Dr Aziz Ahmed Khan briefed the participants about the aims and objectives of the Confucius Institute.

At the end, the minister unveiled the plaque of the institute set up under an agreement signed in April 2005 during the visit of the Chinese prime minister to Pakistan.