Imran Khan a PHD scholar based in Italy and a graduate of National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences (FAST University, Pakistan) is the second Pakistani to work with a team of scientists and engineers at Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) that recorded gravitational waves for the first time in history.

Imran also worked with Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI), one of the institutions involved in the research. Among the 1,004 researchers from 133 scientific institutions all over the world, GSSI contributed to the scientific breakthrough with a team of eight researchers, six of which are young researchers from Italy, China, India and Pakistan.

Pakistan-born Dr Nergis Mavalvala was the first scientist to work with researchers at LIGO Laboratory to build sophisticated sensors to detect gravitational ripples created from the collision of two black holes some 1.3 billion years ago that hurled through space to reach Earth on September 14, 2015.

She began her work on gravitational waves during her course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In essence, her work on gravitational waves has spanned for over 20 years leading up to the discovery.

The discovery of the gravitational waves confirms a major prediction that Albert Einstein made in 1915 about general theory of relativity which now opens an unprecedented new window onto the cosmos.

British Council narrative:

It is pertinent to note that students are on the lookout for direct interaction, face to face contact, opportunities to connect digitally and online with a wider choice of institutions in the UK. Student interest from Tier 2 cities of Pakistan is increasing as a result of improvement in their economic conditions and demand for quality international education. The most popular subjects and courses still remain Business Studies (25%), Engineering and Technology (14%), Computer Sciences (11%) and Architecture, building & planning (4%).

British Council Pakistan strives to support universities, institutions and other education decision makers in their advancement and partnership development strategies to consequently strengthen collaboration within local universities and UK institutions.

Trans-national education (TNE) is a growing market in Pakistan and recent data shows evidence of over 40 such programs running successfully in affiliation with British universities at undergraduate and graduate level, according to the  British Council. Overall, the UK takes about 65 per cent of the TNE market in Pakistan, at a clear majority.