Surabaya: The Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (COMSTECH) has opened a new coordination office at Airlangga University in Surabaya, Indonesia, in cooperation with the World Association of Universities for Community Development. The initiative aims to strengthen academic, scientific, and research cooperation between universities and research institutions in OIC member states.According to Union of OIC News Agencies, the new office was inaugurated at the headquarters of the Secretariat of the World Association of Universities for Community Development. The event was attended by several academic and diplomatic leaders, including the President of Airlangga University and President of the World Association of Universities, Professor Dr. Muhammad Madyan, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Indonesia, Mr. Zahid Hafeez Chaudhry, and the General Coordinator of COMSTECH, Professor Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Chaudhry.Professor Dr. Muha mmad Madyan stated that the new Coordination Office will serve as a strategic platform to enhance cooperation between universities of OIC member states. The focus will be on launching joint research projects, encouraging collaborative scientific publishing, and expanding student and faculty exchange programs, thereby addressing common development challenges through science, technology, and innovation.Pakistani Ambassador Zahid Hafeez Chaudhry praised the initiative, highlighting the importance of strengthening research and scientific systems in the Islamic world to tackle global challenges like climate change, food security, public health, and digital transformation. He noted the limited contribution of Islamic countries to global research output and stressed the need for expanded scientific partnerships and intensified cooperation among academic institutions.COMSTECH General Coordinator Professor Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Chaudhry explained that the new office will focus on developing capacity-building programs , strengthening researcher networks, and expanding opportunities for institutional cooperation among universities in member states. The initiative will also support students and researchers from conflict-affected countries, including Palestine, Sudan, Yemen, and Syria, and enhance cooperation in water resource management, climate change adaptation, health sciences, emerging technologies, and youth skills development.Airlangga University officials confirmed that this partnership will enable Indonesian universities to access international research networks and strengthen ties between academic institutions and industrial and community sectors.The opening of the COMSTECH Coordination Office in Indonesia is seen as a crucial step towards enhancing scientific diplomacy, academic cooperation, and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals in the Islamic world, as well as expanding research partnerships between universities and scientific institutions in OIC member states.