LAHORE - The Government College University (GCU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) primarily for the faculty and student exchange.

The GCU would also extend cooperation to BFSU China for establishment of a postgraduate Urdu Department and setting up the Quality Enhancement Cell for teachers’ evaluation and quality assurance of academic programs.

BFSU China University Council Chairman Prof Dr Han Zhen and GCU Lahore Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah signed the accord at a ceremony held at latter university’s New Meeting Rooms. BFSU China International Exchange and Cooperation Office Director Ke Jing and GCU Director Academic Planning and External Links Ms Fouzia Shaheen were also present.

The highlight of the MoU includes establishment of joint research programs, exchange of academic staff for the purpose of research, teaching and presentation of special courses, initiating student exchange and study aboard programs and exchange of scientific and educational literature produced by the both universities.

The two organizations also agreed to undertake joint seminars, conferences and research projects.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Han Zhen said that BFSU was founded in 1941, and was the first institution in the country to specialize in foreign language studies. He said that they had been teaching almost all major foreign languages including Spanish, Japanese, Germen, French and Arabic.

However, he requested a special cooperation from GCU Urdu Department for providing expertise and faculty to initiate advance courses in Urdu language at BFSU.

On the request of the visiting delegation, GCU Quality Enhancement Cell Director Ms Irum Sohail also briefed the BFSU delegation about the teachers’ evaluation procedures adopted by GCU.

Vice Chancellor Prof Hassan Shah said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would have a significant impact on the society and culture of both countries; so the academia should play a role in preparing the people of both regions for these changes. He said GCU was establishing very strong linkages with Chinese universities, and had five active academic and research accords with Chinese universities and industries including University of Geoscience (Wuhan).

Addressing the ceremony, Ms Fouzia Shaheen said that a delegation of Chinese students had recently attended a short course on Pakistan Affairs at GCU. He said that a group of GCU postgraduate students had been sent to China for various research projects by GCU Center of Excellence, China Studies.

GCU deans Prof Dr Islam Ullah, Prof Dr Raiz Ahmad, Prof Dr Iqbal Shahid and Prof Dr Tahir Kamran also attended the ceremony.