Islamabad-Based COMSTECH Trains 5,000 Scientists in 2025
The Islamabad-based OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, known as COMSTECH, trained 5,000 scientists and researchers from 54 countries during 2025, according to details released in its latest annual report. The development highlights Pakistan’s expanding role as a regional hub for scientific capacity-building, academic networking and technology-focused cooperation across the Muslim world.
The report said COMSTECH carried out 174 projects and initiatives during the year, while awarding 759 scholarships and fellowships to students, researchers and young academics. It also supported 52 research grants and arranged 68 training programmes aimed at strengthening skills in fields considered important for long-term development and innovation.
The beneficiaries came from a wide range of countries, including Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Iran, Morocco, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Palestine, Yemen and several African states. Through these programmes, COMSTECH connected participants with universities, research centres and partner institutions in Pakistan and abroad.
According to the report, the training covered advanced scientific equipment, biotechnology, health sciences, vaccine technology, information technology and other emerging areas. The scholarships and fellowships were designed to help students and young researchers gain access to higher education, specialised laboratories and international academic exposure.
A major part of the initiative focused on young and women scientists, particularly in developing countries where research funding and institutional support are often limited. The 52 grants were intended to encourage biotechnology research, international collaboration and scientific work that can address real-world challenges in health, agriculture, environment and technology.
COMSTECH’s activities were spread across several sectors, with health and biological sciences, education, research, climate change, water, information technology and development-related projects forming the core of its programme portfolio. The body also worked in agriculture, food security, engineering, energy, humanitarian support and science diplomacy.
The report also referred to humanitarian and health outreach linked to Pakistan. COMSTECH organised free medical and relief camps in flood-affected parts of Punjab during 2025, providing medicines, assistance and food rations to around 5,000 people in southern Punjab and Chiniot district.
Another major initiative involved an eye surgery campaign across Africa in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank, LRBT and Al-Shifa Trust. The campaign is aimed at providing free cataract and retinal surgeries while also training local healthcare professionals, showing how Pakistan-linked institutions are contributing to health capacity beyond national borders.
The wider significance for Pakistan is that COMSTECH’s expanding network of more than 80 universities, research institutions and academic centres strengthens Islamabad’s scientific and diplomatic footprint. By linking education, research, technology and development cooperation, the platform can help Pakistan build influence through knowledge-sharing rather than only traditional diplomacy.
The next step will depend on how COMSTECH converts its annual progress into deeper partnerships, more research funding and stronger institutional links between member states. If sustained, the programme could help young researchers, universities and scientific bodies across the OIC build solutions for public health, climate resilience, food security and future technologies.