PN Report
Islamabad: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (OIC-COMSTECH) and three leading Chinese institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in food nutrition, functional food research and development (R&D), and scientific talent training. The agreement marks a significant step towards advancing international research collaboration in nutrition, health, and food security.
The MoU was signed during the China-Pakistan S&T Cooperation Conference on Food and Medicinal Resources for Nutrition and Health, which brought together more than 50 experts, scholars, researchers and industry representatives from research institutions, universities, regulatory authorities and enterprises.
The agreement was signed by Prof. Dr Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH, and senior officials of three prominent Chinese institutions: Wang Fengzhong, Director of the Institute of Food and Nutrition Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China; Liu Rongrong, Director General of the Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS); and Peng Jun, Director of the National Nanfan Research Institute under CAAS.
Under the agreement, the Chinese institutions and OIC-COMSTECH will combine their expertise, research platforms, genetic resources, core technologies, and talent-development capabilities to promote multidimensional scientific cooperation.
The key areas of collaboration include fundamental research on food and medicinal resources, development of functional foods, joint establishment of international laboratories, training of young scientists and technologists, cross-border research projects, and organisation of high-level academic conferences.
The partnership is expected to strengthen links between Chinese research institutions and universities and scientific organisations across OIC member states, creating opportunities for joint research, researcher mobility, technology transfer, laboratory development, and capacity-building.
China’s scientific and technological expertise, particularly in agricultural sciences, food technology, and innovation, offers significant potential for addressing shared challenges in food security, nutrition, and public health. Through OIC-COMSTECH, this collaboration would further help expanding access to scientific knowledge, research opportunities, and technological advancement across the wider OIC community.
The signed MOU reflects a shared commitment to translating scientific knowledge into practical solutions, promoting innovation in food and nutrition, developing skilled human resources and building sustainable partnerships between leading Chinese institutions and the scientific community of OIC member states.
