The Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment (IMHE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of the Punjab, Pakistan on July 22, 2014, in the hope of strengthening international cooperation between the two parties.  

The MoU was signed by IMHE director DENG Wei and Prof. Muhammad Akhtar, delegate of University of the Punjab. It mainly focuses on collaboration in such aspects as joint research program, collaboration on individual research projects, training of individual scientists, exchange visits of individual scientists, exchange of scientific and technical information, and joint party of symposia, conferences, workshops and lectures.  

IMHE considers Pakistan as one of the most important international partners in South Asia, and has set up international cooperation relationships with the University of Peshawar since 2009. As the key point of International outreach Initiatives of IMHE, the framework of South Asia Strategy has gradually come into being with the fresh member, University of the Punjab knocking the door.  

The University of the Punjab, established in 1882 at Lahore, is the largest and the oldest seat of higher learning in Pakistan. It was the first to be established in the sub-continent in Muslim majority area. The fact that two Nobel laureates are from this University speaks volumes for its academic and research excellence. The University comprises of 5 campuses, 13 faculties, 10 constituent colleges, over 73 departments, centers, institutes, and 614 affiliated colleges. It has over 818 permanent faculty members involved in teaching/research and over 36,000 campus students.