Romania and Pakistan explore the establishment of a Romanian university campus in Karachi

In a significant step towards educational collaboration, Romania and Pakistan are discussing the possibility of opening a Romanian university campus in Karachi. Atif Farooqi, the honorary consul of Romania in Sindh, proposed this exciting initiative during a meeting held in Bucharest on Monday.

The talks also focused on developing joint study programs and promoting Romanian universities among Pakistani students. Farooqi expressed the growing interest of Pakistani candidates in the government scholarships offered by Romania, with Pakistan ranking first in applications for the 2026-2027 academic year.

With 14,515 applications submitted out of a total of 88,795, the enthusiasm for educational opportunities in Romania is evident. Farooqi highlighted that Romania has world-class universities at affordable costs, positioning the country as a top choice for Pakistani students seeking higher education in Europe.

The legislation of both countries supports the establishment of a Romanian academic campus in Pakistan, which would be a first, as no Western university currently has a branch in the country. Additionally, an event titled 'Study in Romania' is set to take place in Pakistan in February 2027, further promoting educational exchanges.

At the meeting, Farooqi, alongside Gigel Paraschiv, the state secretary in the Ministry of Education and Research, and Sohail Shamim Firpo, the president of the Pakistan-Romania Business Council, discussed the potential for collaboration in various fields, including industrial and engineering sectors.

Through technical exchanges, joint production, and visits, both parties are looking to strengthen cooperation. Farooqi emphasized the six decades of friendship shared between Pakistan and Romania, noting that these discussions open a promising chapter for concrete collaboration between the two nations.