A high level delegation from Shanghai Jiao Tong University visited The University of Agriculture Peshawar to attend a two-day international forum on “Global Infrastructure Construction and Education for One Belt One Road Initiative 2019 (GICEBRI)” on 28th – 29th Aug. 2019.  The forum was jointly organized by Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), China and The University of Agriculture Peshawar (UAP), Pakistan, under the subject Global Engagement Program.

 Group Photo of Forum Participants

The international forum was intended to provide platform for discussing infrastructure construction under the One Belt One Road Initiative (BRI) and provide professional communication opportunities for academicians, professionals, industrialists and engineers in Pakistan. Dr Zafar Khattak from UAP thrashed out data based perspective of BRI and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and emphasized the impacts of  CPEC infrastructure on Education, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Agriculture growth in development. He also   demonstrated that statistical trends of trade, transportation, exports and energy are significantly and positively correlated with CPEC infrastructure that will add to the life standards of the people in the neighboring countries. Professor Jian Yang explicated the education schemes of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the major role of BRIGHT (BRI Global Horizon Team) research team in developing science and technology. He briefly described modern trend in civil engineering and its rationale for infrastructure  development through BRI. Professor Dr Bashir Ahmad talked about the importance of seed industry appertaining to BRI,  that will definitely enhance crop production. Zair Nawaz Khattak from KPEZDMC broadly discussed the Public Private Partnership Projects (PPP) & Mutual Cooperation Between Belt & Road Countries. Professor Dr Naeem from UET Peshawar discussed total quality management,  engineering management tools and industrial module with special reference to BRI. Dr. Xu Feng introduced the research outcomes from the Institute of Engineering Management (IEM) on the subject of Construction Management. Several other research scientists from Shanghai Jiao Tong University highlighted the sustainable infrastructure strategies for BRI and CPEC and the importance of research on construction management.

Photos Taken from Forum

This international forum was not only a learning experience but also a source of collaboration of educational institutions between two nations. Representatives of the host university and forum delegation had productive discussions over issues including staff and student exchange, talents cultivation and collaborative scientific research in subject areas of mutual interest. The participants were able to gain insights to so many things regarding BRI and CPEC and learned the impact of infrastructure through Belt and Road Initiatives on growth of agriculture and poverty reduction.

The Pro-Rector of BRAINS Institute Professor Dr Riaz Ahmad Khattak, Dean of Faculty of Rural Social Sciences UAP Professor Dr Noor Paio Khan and the Vice Chancellor of Islamia College University Professor Dr Naushad Khan joined the seminar as  chief guest(s) and the guests of the honor and distributed shields and certificate among the organizers, speakers and participants. The Vice Chancellor, UAP, Professor Dr Jehan Bakht joined the SJTU delegation in an open forum discussion about the theme and extended a warm welcome to the delegation led by Professor Jian Yang. He appreciated the event and encouraged the organizers and the participants for promoting such affirmative research and academic activities in future.