UPF Barcelona Spain and SALU Khairpur Pakistan Agree to Strengthen Academic Partnership Through 2029
UPF Barcelona Spain and SALU Khairpur Pakistan Agree to Strengthen Academic Partnership Through 2029: Dr. Khushk Concludes Four-Day Visit with Focus on Faculty and Student Exchanges, Joint Research and Innovation
Final Meeting with Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain, International Office Sets Future Directions for Capacity Building, Interdisciplinary Research and Entrepreneurship
Barcelona, Spain |
October 23, 2026
Meritorious Professor Dr. Yousuf Khushk, Vice Chancellor of Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Khairpur, Pakistan, concluded his four-day academic visit to Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain, with a productive final meeting with Ms. Sara Lopez, Director of the International Office, aimed at consolidating the outcomes of various academic engagements and strengthening institutional collaboration through 2029.
The concluding meeting was also attended by Professor Marco Madella, International Mobility Officer Silvia, and Luis, who actively contributed to discussions on future academic cooperation.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed the outcomes of visits to UPF’s Ciutadella, Mar and Poblenou campuses, where Dr. Khushk had engaged with academic leadership, researchers, faculty members and international representatives across different disciplines.
The discussions resulted in a shared understanding to continue and progressively strengthen academic cooperation through 2029, with particular emphasis on faculty and student mobility, institutional capacity building, joint research initiatives and knowledge sharing.
Priority areas identified for future collaboration include Social Sciences, Natural and Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Law, Archaeology, Political science, Sociology Media and Communication Studies, Information Technology, Engineering and Translation Studies.
Both institutions also discussed encouraging direct faculty-to-faculty contacts to identify common research interests, develop collaborative research proposals, explore international funding opportunities and establish sustainable academic networks.
To translate these understandings into practical outcomes, both universities agreed to designate focal persons and pursue a phased, strategic and action-oriented approach through their respective International Offices. The designated focal persons will facilitate regular communication, coordinate faculty-to-faculty and departmental linkages, identify priority areas, and support the development and implementation of mutually agreed academic activities through 2029.
Special attention was given to promoting student entrepreneurship, innovation and knowledge transfer. Opportunities were explored for mentoring young innovators, connecting students with entrepreneurial ecosystems and supporting collaborative initiatives that transform academic ideas into practical solutions.
Dr. Khushk emphasized that international partnerships should extend beyond institutional visits and develop into meaningful opportunities for faculty development, student exposure, research productivity and institutional capacity building.
He observed that the existing academic relationship between SALU and UPF, particularly in Archaeology, provides a valuable foundation for expanding cooperation into additional disciplines through focused and achievable initiatives.
Ms. Sara Lopez and the UPF team expressed their commitment to continued academic engagement and coordination, with future activities to be developed through direct departmental contacts, mutually identified priorities and available mobility and research opportunities.
Dr. Khushk appreciated the academic environment, research facilities, innovation ecosystem and international outlook of UPF, describing the visit as an important step toward building a sustainable and mutually beneficial partnership between the two universities.
Dr. Khushk expressed his special gratitude to Professor Marco Madella for his instrumental role, continuous guidance, academic patronage and dedicated efforts in facilitating the visit and strengthening the existing relationship between SALU and UPF. He also conveyed his sincere appreciation to UPF Vice-Rector Professor Helena Ramalhinho, Prof. Josep prof Ibańez, International Office Director Ms. Sara Lopez, the leadership and directors of the three campuses, academic heads, researchers and faculty members for their valuable academic interactions, institutional support and commitment to exploring meaningful avenues of cooperation.
He particularly acknowledged the contributions of International Mobility Officer Silvia and other members of the UPF team whose coordination and assistance helped make the academic engagements productive and successful.
As a gesture of goodwill and academic friendship, Dr. Khushk presented a commemorative souvenir to Ms. Sara Lopez, marking the successful conclusion of the visit and symbolizing the shared commitment to strengthening institutional ties.
The four-day visit concluded with a renewed understanding that Barcelona and Khairpur will remain connected through academic dialogue, collaborative research, faculty and student engagement, and opportunities for innovation and knowledge exchange in the years ahead.
At the conclusion of the visit, Dr. Khushk extended his heartfelt thanks to the Vice-Rector, the International Office, Professor Marco Madella, Professor Josep, the directors and academic leadership of all three UPF campuses, and the entire UPF team for their exceptional hospitality, generous cooperation and warm reception throughout his stay in Barcelona. He expressed the hope that the friendship and academic understanding developed during the visit would continue to flourish through meaningful and lasting institutional cooperation.
From Academic Dialogue to Sustainable Partnership — SALU and UPF Look Ahead to 2029.