East Java: The Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the World University Association for Community Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding today. Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary and Rector Airlangga University and President of WUACD Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nasih formally signed the MoU on behalf of their organizations at Airlangga University in East Java, Indonesia.

According to Radio Pakistan, the purpose of the MoU is to strengthen cooperation in science, technology, and higher education across OIC member states. The agreement aims to promote joint research, academic exchange, and innovation in key scientific fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Health Sciences, and Engineering. Special emphasis will be placed on supporting scholars and researchers from underrepresented OIC member countries, particularly in Africa.

As part of the MoU, both institutions will offer short-term technician training programs of three to four weeks and long-term research fellowships ranging from six to twelve months. Fellows will be hosted at Universitas Airlangga, where they will be mentored by its faculty, while OIC-COMSTECH will assist with award issuance and visa facilitation.

Officials from both sides described the MoU as a strategic milestone that will build scientific capacity, encourage innovation, and contribute to sustainable development throughout the Islamic world.