Islamabad, August 6, 2026: 17 Sudanese engineers successfully completed an eight-week advanced training programme in cybersecurity, data analytics and cloud computing under a joint initiative of the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) and the National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (FAST-NUCES).
The specialised programme, held from June 6 to August 6, concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony at the FAST-NUCES Islamabad campus. The training was designed to equip participants with practical expertise in securing digital infrastructure, managing cloud-based systems and analysing complex data.
The ceremony was attended by Sudanese Ambassador to Pakistan Salih Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed Siddig, COMSTECH Coordinator General Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, FAST-NUCES Rector Dr. Aftab Ahmad Maroof, FAST-NUCES Islamabad Campus Director Prof. Dr. Waseem Shahzad, faculty members, course instructors, COMSTECH officials and the participating Sudanese engineers.
Addressing the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary said human resource development and advanced technical training remain central to COMSTECH’s mission of strengthening scientific and technological capacity across OIC member states.
He said supporting engineers, scientists and professionals from countries facing challenging circumstances represents one of the most meaningful forms of cooperation within the Muslim world. He appreciated FAST-NUCES for designing and delivering the specialised programme and thanked the Embassy of Sudan for facilitating the participation of the engineers.
Prof. Choudhary also acknowledged the Prime Institute of Health Sciences for providing accommodation and hospitality to the Sudanese participants throughout their stay in Islamabad.
Sudanese Ambassador Salih Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed Siddig expressed gratitude to COMSTECH, FAST-NUCES and the Government of Pakistan for extending educational and professional support to Sudan during a difficult period caused by the ongoing conflict in the country.
He described the programme as a practical demonstration of solidarity and cooperation among OIC member states, saying Pakistan’s support through scholarships, specialised training and capacity-building initiatives would be remembered by the people of Sudan. He also called for expanding the partnership to additional academic, scientific and technical fields.
FAST-NUCES Rector Dr. Aftab Ahmad Maroof said the university was pleased to host the programme and encouraged by its successful outcome.
He said Pakistani universities possess the expertise to help professionals from Sudan and other Muslim countries acquire skills in emerging technologies. He added that FAST-NUCES remains committed to working with COMSTECH on future programmes in cybersecurity, semiconductor and chip design, data science and other advanced technological fields.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Ahmed Mohamed Alhafiz Hassan Zainalabdin thanked COMSTECH and FAST-NUCES for providing high-quality academic and technical training.
He said the programme had significantly enhanced the participants’ practical skills in cybersecurity, cloud computing and data analytics, enabling them to contribute more effectively to Sudan’s digital transformation and institutional development.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, certificates were awarded to all 17 engineers. The organisers said the initiative forms part of COMSTECH’s broader efforts to connect professionals from OIC member states with leading universities and technical institutions to promote specialised training, knowledge exchange and sustainable human resource development.
