Key Points
- Government Support: Both governments prioritize international education. Pakistan’s HEC launched a 2020 policy for joint degree programs with foreign universities[1]. Canada highlights education as a strategic sector in its Indo-Pacific and development agendas[2].
- University Partnerships: Several MOUs link Canadian and Pakistani institutions. For example, in 2021 Brock University (Canada) and DHA Suffa University (Karachi) signed an agreement enabling student exchanges, visiting scholars, and joint research[3]. In 2024, COMSATS University Islamabad and the University of Regina launched a Student Exchange Program (SEPA) for undergraduate mobility and collaboration[4].
- Student Mobility: The number of Pakistani students studying in Canada surged post-2020. Canada issued an all-time high of ~3,400 new study permits to Pakistani students in 2023[5], reflecting strong demand. Scholarships and internships (e.g. Fulbright, Mitacs Globalink) further link students and researchers across both countries.
- Research & Innovation: Joint research addresses shared challenges. Pakistani PhD scholars trained abroad have returned as faculty, and similar exchanges with Canadian universities are planned[6]. Programs like Mitacs Globalink fund summer research internships for Pakistani undergraduates at Canadian labs[6]. Both governments encourage collaboration in STEM, agriculture, health and climate science through funding and faculty-exchange grants.
- Economic & Social Benefits: Education is a major economic asset. International student tuition is one of Canada’s top service exports (23% of service exports, injecting ~$37B in 2022[7]). For Pakistan, partnerships bring skills and jobs home. Strong educational links also leverage the large diaspora to promote trade and innovation[2].
Strategic Policies and Opportunities
Both countries see education as a priority in national strategy. Pakistan’s Vision 2025 targets expanding higher education and PhD training, and recent reforms (e.g. the 2020 HEC policy on cross-border programs[1]) explicitly seek international partnerships. Canada’s international education initiatives similarly aim to diversify markets and connect with the Indo-Pacific. The Global Affairs Canada website notes that “opportunities for Canadian companies exist in education” in Pakistan[8], and Canadian development programs fund teacher training and education projects in Pakistan[9]. These policies create an enabling environment: for example, HEC funds faculty travel and exchanges abroad, while Canada’s education counsellors and councils (e.g. the Canada–Pakistan Council for Education) actively promote the two-way “education corridor” between the countries.Student Mobility and Scholarships
Student flows are a tangible link. Pakistan is a major source of international students globally and Canada has seen a surge. In 2023 nearly 3,400 new Canadian study permits were issued to Pakistani nationals (the highest on record)[5], attracted by STEM and business programs. (Canada temporarily capped intake in 2024, but demand remains high.) Notably, Pakistani students tend to pursue engineering and tech fields abroad, complementing Canada’s labour needs. Scholarship programs also tie the countries: Pakistani Fulbright scholarships, Commonwealth and Higher Education Commission fellowships, and Canadian awards (e.g. Vanier, Trudeau, Mitacs internships) enable top students and researchers from each country to train together. This creates alumni networks of bilingual, bicultural experts beneficial to both societies.Research Collaboration and Innovation
Academics in Canada and Pakistan are collaborating on research in science, agriculture, health and social sciences. Several formal linkages have been forged at the institutional level: for instance, Brock University’s MOU provides “visiting scholar opportunities” and joint publications[3]. In Pakistan, the Higher Education Commission encourages ORICs (Offices of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization) and Business Incubation Centers that welcome international partners. The COMSATS-Regina SEPA explicitly includes plans for joint STEM research and engaging Canadian funding agencies[6]. At the 2024 event, Pakistan’s Consul General noted that the agreement “would pave the way for joint research initiatives, faculty exchanges and student mobility programs”[10]. These collaborations can address shared challenges (e.g. energy, climate resilience, public health) and spur innovation spin-offs. In agriculture, for example, joint projects on crop technology link Canadian Agri-researchers with Pakistani field trials. Over time, these partnerships strengthen each nation’s research capacity and deepen bilateral trust.Economic and Social Impact
Education trade is booming: international students contributed $37.3 billion to the Canadian economy in 2022[7]. Pakistani students in Canada boost local economies and future bilateral trade, while Canadian providers export education (online programs, branch campuses) to Pakistan’s large market of youth. Conversely, Pakistani universities benefit by collaborating on grants and commercializing research. Soft benefits include cultural understanding and diplomacy; every graduate from a Canada–Pakistan program becomes an informal ambassador. The large Pakistani-Canadian community (215k+ people[2]) bridges business and academia, making bilateral conferences, startups and sister-campus projects more feasible.Conclusion
Canada–Pakistan education and research cooperation is a shared beneficial endeavor. For policymakers, it yields skilled workforces, innovation-driven economic growth and stronger diplomatic ties. Investors can tap into education-as-export, edtech ventures, and workforce training in both markets. Academics gain fresh perspectives, joint funding and enhanced research output. And families in both countries gain access to world-class learning and careers. As both governments and private stakeholders deepen initiatives (scholarships, MOUs, regulatory support), the collaborative ecosystem will mature. Ultimately, sustained partnership in higher education will amplify prosperity, knowledge creation and people-to-people bonds between Canada and Pakistan. * Dr. Muhammad Jahanzaib is the Founder & Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) of Diamanium Thinkers, a global think tank. He holds a PhD in International Relations, specializing in the intersection of politics and economics in Pakistan’s foreign and domestic policy. A double gold medalist and published scholar, he writes on economic intelligence, economic diplomacy, political economy, AI, and regional cooperation in South Asia and beyond. He can be reached at jahanzaibdgc@gmail.com. References: [1] Pakistan – Education https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/pakistan-education [2] [8] [9] Canada-Pakistan relations https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/pakistan/relations.aspx?lang=eng [3] Brock signs MOU with Pakistani university – The Brock News https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2021/08/brock-signs-mou-with-pakistani-university/ [4] [6] [10] News Details https://ww2.comsats.edu.pk/internationaloffice/NewsEventDetail.aspx?id=267635 [5] How Pakistani Students Will Help Reshape Global Student Mobility https://www.applyboard.com/applyinsights-article/how-pakistani-students-will-shape-the-next-wave-of-global-student-mobility [7] International Students Contributes $37.3 Billion to the Canadian Economy https://www.infoplacecanada.ca/post/international-students-contributes-37-3-billion-to-the-canadian-economy