High-Level Delegation Holds Key Discussions on Faculty and Student Exchanges, Joint Research, Internships and New Educational Opportunities Between Pakistan and Canada
Report by: Mehboob Ali Shaikh
TORONTO: A high-level delegation led by Professor Muhammad Tufail, Vice-Chancellor of NED University of Engineering and Technology, visited Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) to explore opportunities to strengthen academic cooperation, joint research activities, and faculty and student exchanges between Pakistan and Canada.
The delegation included Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodi, Chairman of the Charter Inspection and Evaluation Committee (CIEC), Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC); Zubair Mati, President of the NED Alumni Association of Canada (NEDAC); Malik Ghulam Hussain, former President of NEDAC; Samir Dossal, President of the Canada-Pakistan Business Council (CPBC); and Asif Rizvi, Director of the Canada-Pakistan Business Council.
Senior officials representing Toronto Metropolitan University and its Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science (FEAS) included Dr. Carl Kumaradas, Vice-Provost and Dean of the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies; Dr. Cory Searcy, Assistant Vice-President, International; Dr. Sri Krishnan, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science; Dr. Ahmed Shaker, Interim Associate Dean, Research and External Partnerships; Dr. Mehrab Mehrvar, Associate Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies; Dr. Medhat Shehata, Associate Dean, Teaching and Outreach; Dr. Dimitri Androutsos, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs and Student Affairs; Dr. Songnian Li of the Department of Civil Engineering; Dr. Seth Dworkin of the Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Mechatronics Engineering; and Dr. Hekmat Alighanbari of the Department of Aerospace Engineering.
The discussions focused on translating institutional relationships into practical academic and research opportunities. Professor Muhammad Tufail proposed inviting TMU faculty members to NED University for teaching and research visits of up to one month, with accommodation and local transportation potentially provided. He also proposed offering adjunct professor appointments to research-active TMU faculty members to promote joint research.
Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodi proposed creating co-operative work placement (Co-op) opportunities for students at NED, inviting TMU faculty members to conferences hosted by NED, continuing cooperation in thesis evaluations and PhD examinations, and promoting student exchanges through Mitacs programs. He also suggested organizing a two-week specialized course in construction management.
Representatives of Toronto Metropolitan University proposed reciprocal faculty and student exchanges, establishing structured academic pathways from undergraduate studies to the Master of Engineering (MEng) and subsequently to PhD programs, and strengthening research through the joint supervision of graduate students.
Other proposals included organizing summer schools at either university, holding online and in-person seminars and workshops, providing opportunities for TMU faculty members to spend sabbaticals or academic leave at NED, and introducing certificate courses for NED students through TMU’s Continuing Education programs. A visit by TMU’s student recruitment representative in Pakistan to NED University was also proposed to strengthen coordination regarding student admissions and recruitment.
The delegation later met with Mohamed Lachemi, President of Toronto Metropolitan University, and Dr. Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, Provost and Vice-President, Academic, during a special meeting and luncheon. The participants reviewed the proposed partnership and discussed other areas of mutual interest.
Visa access emerged as a key practical issue. Participants said that timely progress on Canadian visa arrangements would be important for facilitating academic visits, faculty and student exchanges, and other forms of educational cooperation.
The meeting marked a step toward expanding institutional ties between NED University and TMU. The proposed initiatives cover international academic engagement, applied research, graduate education, professional training and mobility opportunities for faculty members and students.
