[:en]OUR CORRESPONDENT
LAHORE: A high-level delegation from the Scotland Chamber of Commerce and Robert Gordon University, led by Scotland’s Trade Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Jeanette Forbes, OBE, paid an official visit to the Punjab Central Business District Development Authourity (PCBDDA), also known as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab).
The delegation included the Vice Principal Robert Gordon University Scotland, Professor Lynn Kilbride, Dr. Elliot Pirie, Associate Dean for Academic Development and Student Engagement, Robert Gordon University, Scotland, Director FPCCI Pakistan-UK Business Council Arslan Ijaz Anwer, and Project Manager Taar Consulting Sana Mehwish, highlighting the growing interest of international institutions in CBD Punjab’s projects.
The delegation was warmly received by the CEO CBD Punjab, Imran Amin, who provided a comprehensive briefing on the various ongoing projects under the CBD Punjab banner. A special emphasis was laid on the development of the Education District within the landmark CBD NSIT City project, which has become a cornerstone of CBD Punjab’s vision to promote higher education and foster innovation in the region.
During the briefing, Imran Amin shared the authority’s plans for the Education District, stating, “CBD NSIT City’s Education District is designed with state-of-the-art infrastructure and world-class facilities to accommodate local and international universities. Our goal is to create an academic hub where institutions from across the globe can establish their campuses and contribute to the intellectual and economic growth of Punjab.”
He further mentioned that CBD Punjab is actively engaging with several prestigious international and local universities to set up their campuses in the Education District. The ongoing discussions reflect CBD Punjab’s commitment to transforming the area into a global knowledge and research center that aligns with international educational standards.
Dr. Janet Forbs, Scotland’s Trade Ambassador, praised the initiatives taken by CBD Punjab, particularly the innovative concept of CBD NSIT City. She remarked, “The projects of CBD Punjab, especially the Education District, have the potential to significantly contribute to the economic development of Punjab. The forward-thinking approach of the authority is commendable, and we look forward to furthering collaborations that can benefit both Scotland and Pakistan.”
In addition, the Vice Principal and Dean of Robert Gordon University expressed keen interest in exploring the possibilities of establishing a campus within the Education District of CBD NSIT City. They recognized the district’s strategic significance in providing quality education and fostering international academic partnerships.
The visit also saw active participation from CBD Punjab’s Chief Operating Officer, Brigadier (R) Mansoor Janjua, Director Business Development CBD Punjab Ali Waqar Shah, Director Marketing CBD Punjab, Waseem Siddiq and Director Architecture & Planning CBD Punjab Sameer Aftab Sial. The visit concluded with a mutual agreement to continue discussions and explore potential collaborations in the fields of education, research, and economic development.[:]