ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Pakistan is set to join the Second Joint Technicians Training Program (JTTP), organized by Hunan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH). The program is scheduled to take place from June 8 to June 17, 2025, at HUCM’s advanced research campus in Changsha, China.
Capacity Building for Technicians and Researchers
The JTTP aims to enhance scientific and technical capacities across the Islamic world by providing hands-on training in advanced laboratory techniques. Participants will receive instruction in methodologies such as Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LCMS), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Mass Spectrometry (MS), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR).
A total of 19 technicians and early-career researchers from OIC member countries and other developing nations have been selected for the program. The cohort includes professionals from various backgrounds, with a notable emphasis on gender inclusivity, as seven women are among the participants. The initiative prioritizes candidates from Least Developed Countries (LDCs), reflecting a commitment to equitable development and empowerment.
Strategic Partnership Between China and the OIC
This training program is a significant component of the broader OIC-China collaboration, which seeks to address pressing challenges such as public health crises, poverty, food insecurity, and climate change. The shortage of skilled technical professionals in STEM fields has been identified as a critical barrier to scientific progress and innovation within the OIC region.
A COMSTECH spokesperson emphasized the program’s role beyond mere training, describing it as a “capacity-building mission aimed at empowering the Global South.” The partnership between HUCM and COMSTECH underscores the growing academic and scientific cooperation between China and the Islamic world.
Focus on Inclusivity and Empowerment
The JTTP is designed to support professionals affiliated with universities, hospitals, and research institutions who hold degrees in engineering technology, laboratory sciences, or other STEM-related fields. The program not only aims to enhance technical skills but also to promote gender equity and the inclusion of professionals from underrepresented regions.
By offering specialized training to laboratory technologists, technicians, and researchers, particularly women and candidates from Least Developed Countries, the initiative aligns with global goals of inclusivity, equity, and sustainable development.
As Pakistan prepares to participate in this significant program, the collaboration between HUCM and COMSTECH stands as a testament to the shared commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and addressing global challenges through education and capacity building.