LEADERS from the University of Bradford will be heading to Pakistan later this month on a mission to form new bonds between the country and Bradford.

Departin Vice Chancellor Brian Cantor and director of external affairs Mark Garratt will visit Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi on the six day trip, speaking with alumni to create new areas for collaboration.

They will host a series of dinners from February 22 to 28, and also meeting with institutions and senior government officials.

The University is also a key partner of Lahore Literature Festival, which takes place during the visit.

Professor Cantor said: “Pakistan is a key area for us in terms of recruitment, alumni, and partnership collaborations, both academic and industrial.

“It’s our ambition that this visit will create new opportunities, not only for the University but for the Bradford region as a whole.”

Fahd Asif, Regional Manager, said: “Pakistan features as a key country within the University’s new internationalisation agenda.

“This high-profile delegation visit aims to celebrate our long-standing links to Pakistan and will open new avenues of collaboration here.”

The university has long standing links already with Pakistan; Imran Khan, the current Prime Minister, is a former Chancellor at Bradford.