Prof. Dr. Rauf-i-Azam, Vice Chancellor of Government College University Faisalabad, is currently visiting China at the invitation of Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU), Wuhan, to participate in the 5th Belt and Road China–Pakistan Agriculture Forum, themed “Green, Efficient Agriculture & Sustainable Development.” The forum is attended by distinguished leaders, diplomats, and experts from both countries.

The event was formally inaugurated by Prof. Yan Jianbing, President of HZAU, who welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of strengthening Belt and Road academic partnerships. H.E. Khalil Hashmi, Ambassador of Pakistan to China, highlighted the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China and appreciated HZAU’s efforts to promote joint research, knowledge exchange, and capacity building.

In his address, Prof. Dr. Rauf-i-Azam reiterated GCUF’s commitment to internationalization, inviting Chinese students and researchers to study and collaborate in Faisalabad. He also encouraged GCUF faculty and students to spend time in Wuhan and other Chinese centers of excellence, emphasizing the importance of building a long-term, two-way academic bridge between the institutions.

The Vice Chancellor acknowledged the role of Dr. Muhammad Tahir ul Qamar, Deputy Director of the Directorate of International Linkages (DIL) at GCUF and an alumnus of both GCUF and HZAU, for facilitating the visit and strengthening institutional ties.

During the visit, GCUF and HZAU formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen academic and research collaboration. The MoU facilitates collaboration through joint research and teaching in agriculture and biological sciences, faculty and student exchanges, joint supervision of postgraduate researchers, and applications for international projects, with scope for additional mutually agreed activities.

This engagement highlights GCUF’s commitment to global cooperation, agricultural innovation, and academic diplomacy under the Pakistan–China Belt and Road framework.