A&M University–Central Texas President Richard M. Rhodes, Ph.D., (left) and Iqra University President Nassar Ikram, Ph.D. sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), linking the two universities through an academic partnership. This is the first international MOU signed by A&M–Central Texas.
On May 12, Texas A&M University–Central Texas President Richard M. Rhodes, Ph.D., and Iqra University President Nassar Ikram, Ph.D., gathered on the A&M–Central Texas campus to announce an historic partnership, signing the first international Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in A&M–Central Texas’ 15-year history.
This agreement provides a framework for A&M–Central Texas and Iqra University in Pakistan to develop graduate pathways that transition from Iqra’s undergraduate programs to A&M–Central Texas’ graduate programs. The universities also agree to share applicable data, waive any processing fees involved, and to remain committed to the continuing, quality education of the students being served. The universities will also provide collaborative opportunities for faculty and staff.
“This is an exciting time for us, and I hope it is for you, too,” Rhodes said. “We look forward to the relationship we are going to build.”
Ikram echoed those sentiments, saying he was honored to be on campus, signing the agreement.
“This document is not just a piece of paper that we’re going to sign,” Ikram said. “It lays the foundation for us to move ahead. It’s a reflection of our commitment to move ahead.”
The universities were brought together by TAMUCT alumnus Abdul Subhani who wanted to find a way to link his Pakistani origins to his university in the United States. Subhani put Iqra in touch with A&M–Central Texas with the idea of capitalizing on A&M–Central Texas’ increasing international enrollment population. The universities have been working for approximately four months to create the MOU.
The agreement will focus particularly on Iqra’s Bachelor of Cyber Security, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, and Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence degrees which are considered equivalent to baccalaureate degrees in the United States. A&M–Central Texas and Iqra will now begin developing pathways that map those bachelor’s degrees to A&M–Central Texas’ graduate programs. These degree pathways will also contribute to continued growth in the Subhani Department of Computer Information Systems at A&M–Central Texas, so named for a gift from the Subhani Foundation.
A&M–Central Texas Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and University Relations Clifton W. Jones thanked Subhani for the part he played in setting up the agreement, saying it fosters a spirit of international cooperation in higher education.
“That initial connection and the collaborative efforts between the international teams from both institutions just demonstrates our commitment to student access and student success in the collaborative environment that you find in higher education,” Jones said.