By Imtiaz Hussain
KARACHI: The Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University of Technology and Skill Development (BBS-UTECH) held a pre-departure ceremony and orientation meeting for students and their parents selected under the International Multi-Country China–Foreign Joint Training Camp programme, officials said on Monday.
The session was chaired by Vice Chancellor Rasool Bux Mahar and attended by Registrar Mir Sajjad Hussain Talpur, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Technology Manthar Ali Keerio and Programme Coordinator Arif Hussain. The Chinese partner institution, Hebei Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Technology, was represented online by its programme coordinator Hebei Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Technology Wang Jian.
During the orientation, university officials briefed students and their families on travel arrangements, academic structure, support systems and pre-departure requirements. Special sessions were also held with parents, focusing on student safety, cultural adaptation, academic expectations and international exposure. Organisers said the discussions helped address concerns and resulted in strong parental confidence in the programme.
The ceremony marked the launch of the first cohort under the joint international exchange initiative between BBS-UTECH and its Chinese partner institution. Eight selected students will travel to China to participate in a joint training camp and the World Skills Competition, where they will represent both Pakistan and their university alongside participants from multiple countries.
The selected students were identified as Usama Anwar, Asad Ali, Sibghatullah, Allahi Bux Saqib, Munwar Ali, Hussain Hyder, Rafique Ahmed and Muhammad Yaqoob. University officials said the group had been chosen after a competitive selection process based on technical aptitude and academic performance.
Officials described the initiative as part of the university’s broader effort to align technical education with international standards and industry requirements. They said the programme aimed to provide students with advanced technical training, hands-on learning opportunities and cross-cultural exposure that would strengthen their professional development.
The event concluded with the distribution of JW forms and visas to the selected participants, formally completing the pre-departure process.
Speaking on the occasion, university representatives said the collaboration with the Chinese institute reflected growing academic ties and a shared commitment to preparing skilled graduates for global technological challenges. They added that such initiatives would help broaden student horizons and enhance Pakistan’s presence in international skills competitions.
The ceremony ended on a positive note, with parents and students expressing satisfaction over the arrangements and appreciation for the opportunity to participate in an international training programme.
