The Area Study Centre is one of six leading specialized institutions established under the aegis of Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission. It focuses on the study of Central Asia, as well as Russia and China.
The delegation received a warm welcome from Professor Shabir Ahmad Khan, Director of the Centre, who highlighted its achievements since its founding in 1975. He emphasized the Centre’s active role in fostering academic research and knowledge exchange in key regional areas.
The visit coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Area Study Centre, which marks half a century of influential academic contributions in 2025. During the visit, the IICA delegation toured various sections of the Centre, including the library, lecture hall, faculty offices, and the Alisher Navoi Corner, where representatives of the University of Peshawar emphasized the deep historical and cultural ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
The University of Peshawar also presented its Central Asia research journal, published by the Area Study Centre since 1978. The journal is internationally indexed and recognized by Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission.
Director Vakhabov highlighted the significance of academic cooperation, including joint research and scholar exchanges, between the two institutions. He noted that such initiatives would deepen regional research, foster collaborative projects, and enhance opportunities for knowledge sharing and professional development.
Both sides expressed their commitment to collaborative research on politics, economics, security, and regional connectivity. This partnership aims to foster knowledge accumulation and create a unified information network where research conducted by various institutions complements one another, providing comprehensive insights into regional developments.
In conclusion, Professor Shabir expressed his gratitude to the IICA delegation for their visit and conveyed his confidence that joint initiatives, such as roundtable discussions, conferences, and research projects, would play a crucial role in strengthening academic ties and advancing scientific thought at a higher level.
