French-Pakistani cooperation: UPEC and IBA Karachi join forces in education and research

Representatives from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi —one of Pakistan’s five most prestigious higher education institutions—were warmly welcomed by President Karine Bergès during a signing ceremony organized by Laurent Thévenet, Vice President for International Affairs, and Carole Torriero, Head of International Affairs.

The Pakistani delegation, received on the central campus in the early afternoon, included Dr. Syed Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of the Institute; Dr. Shakeel Ahmed Khoja, Dean of the School of Mathematics and Computer Science; and Dr. Rizwan Ahmed Khan and Dr. Shadid Hussain, Professor and Associate Professor of Computer Science, respectively.

The meeting also included Professor Amine Nait-Ali from the Faculty of Science and Technology and Eric Hertzler, faculty member and Director of International Relations at IAE Paris-Est. Participants explored initial opportunities for implementing this agreement, including student mobility at the Master’s level and research collaborations in computer science, biometrics, and management—fields where both institutions offer particularly promising potential for synergy.

The signing of a framework agreement marks a key milestone in UPEC’s internationalization strategy. It provides a structured approach to concrete initiatives in education and research, benefiting its communities.

Through this formalized partnership, UPEC and IBA Karachi commit to pooling their expertise and creating new opportunities for professional and personal development for students and faculty, while strengthening their international scientific impact.

This achievement follows a visit to IBA Karachi by the Vice President for International Affairs in October 2025, facilitated by the French Embassy in Pakistan.