|| Special Correspondent: Bangladesh and Pakistan have expressed renewed interest in strengthening academic cooperation as the University of Dhaka (DU) and the Pakistan High Commission discussed expanding collaboration in higher education, research and cultural exchange during a high-level meeting on Tuesday.The commitment came during a courtesy call by Pakistan High Commissioner Imran Haider on DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A.B.M. Obaidul Islam at the Vice-Chancellor's office.During the meeting, both sides underscored the importance of building stronger institutional partnerships between the University of Dhaka and universities in Pakistan. They expressed interest in promoting collaboration in education, research, culture and human resource development through initiatives such as faculty and student exchange programmes, joint research projects, semester exchange schemes, joint degree programmes and other academic activities.Dean of the Faculty of Arts Professor Dr Md Abul Kalam Sarkar, Chairman of the Department of Urdu Associate Professor Md Golam Mawla, Professor Dr Muhammad Golam Rabbani of the Department of Urdu, and Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan Mohammad Wasif were Present at the event.Following the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor and the High Commissioner visited the Department of Urdu, where they jointly inaugurated a newly established computer laboratory and renovated classrooms with support from the Pakistan High Commission.Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Obaidul Islam said the Department of Urdu, established on July 1, 1921, is one of the university's oldest and most distinguished departments. For more than a century, it has made significant contributions to the study of language, literature and culture.He noted that the department currently offers undergraduate, master's, MPhil and PhD programmes and thanked the Pakistan High Commission for its support in strengthening its academic infrastructure.The Vice-Chancellor expressed hope that the High Commission would continue assisting the department's educational and research activities. He also said academic exchanges and institutional cooperation could further strengthen the long-standing historical, cultural and educational ties between the people of Bangladesh and Pakistan.Speaking as the chief guest, High Commissioner Imran Haider described the inauguration of the computer laboratory and renovated facilities as more than just an infrastructure upgrade."It reflects the shared commitment of Bangladesh and Pakistan to education, cultural understanding and the future of young people," he said.He expressed confidence that the new facilities would help improve teaching, learning, research and skill development for both students and faculty members.The envoy also highlighted education as one of the most effective means of enhancing mutual understanding and people-to-people relations between the two countries. He said the Pakistan High Commission has been implementing a range of educational and academic cooperation initiatives to promote closer engagement.Haider further proposed expanding collaboration between the University of Dhaka and Pakistani universities through joint research, faculty and student exchanges, semester exchange programmes, joint degree initiatives and short-term academic training. He said closer academic links between universities in the two countries would contribute to greater knowledge-sharing, research excellence and stronger mutual understanding.