The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has invited MS, MPhil and PhD scholars to apply for six-month research placements at Chinese institutions under the CPEC Consortium of Universities, in a programme aimed at strengthening Pakistan-China academic ties and building research capacity in priority fields.

The placements are open to Pakistani and Azad Jammu and Kashmir nationals who are enrolled full-time in an MS, MPhil or PhD programme at a recognised Pakistani higher education institution and who remain enrolled through the selection process and the visit. Applicants must show that their proposed work in China is directly tied to their degree research and can be completed within six months, and must secure a formal invitation from a Chinese university, institute or laboratory that is a member of the CPEC Consortium of Universities, specifying the research area, host supervisor and duration.

PhD candidates are eligible after 18 months of enrolment and up to a maximum of 3.5 years, measured on the closing date, and must have completed their coursework and had their synopsis approved. MS and MPhil applicants must have completed at least 18 credit hours and entered the thesis or research stage with an approved topic.

The programme spans eight priority areas, several of which map onto issues central to Balochistan and the wider region — among them water, environment and climate; energy and green technologies; advanced industry and earth resources, including minerals and geosciences; and society, economy and CPEC studies. The remaining areas cover emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, agriculture and biotechnology, infrastructure and logistics, and health and life sciences.

Applications are submitted online through the HEC website at hec.gov.pk/Site/ACCU. The commission has advised applicants not to post printed copies of the form; only shortlisted candidates will be asked to submit a signed printed copy with supporting documents. Queries may be directed to the HRD Division at cpec.consortium@hec.gov.pk. The deadline to apply is 14 August 2026.

Published in Balochistan Dispatch, July 27th, 2026