Lahore, Government College University (GCU) Lahore and Inonu University, Turkey, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote student and faculty exchanges and joint research initiatives. The agreement was formalized during a visit by a delegation from Inonu University to GCU’s campus on Tuesday.

According to Government College University, the MoU, signed by GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir and Dr. Ahmet Kizilay, Rector of Inonu University, aims to foster deeper educational and cultural connections between the two institutions. The partnership focuses on facilitating student and faculty mobility, sharing knowledge and resources, and conducting collaborative research projects.

During their visit, the Turkish delegation toured GCU’s advanced facilities, including the Centre for Advanced Studies in Physics, and learned about the university’s illustrious history of producing prominent alumni such as Allama Iqbal and Nobel laureates Dr. Abdus Salam and Har Gobind Khorana. The visit also highlighted GCU’s tradition of academic excellence and its established ties with various Turkish universities.

Dr. Ahmet Kizilay spoke at the MoU signing ceremony about the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Turkey, expressing enthusiasm for strengthening ties through educational collaboration. “Pakistan and Turkey are not just friendly countries; they are brothers with a common goal of revitalizing the stature of Muslim nations through education and collaboration,” said Dr. Kizilay.

Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir underscored the significance of collaboration in science and technology as vital for regaining the dignity of Muslim nations and making strides in these fields. The day concluded with the Turkish delegation visiting significant campus locations like the Sports Complex and Postgraduate Library and a commemorative photo session in front of the university’s iconic tower.