ISLAMABAD, MAY 26 (DNA) – RINSTRA, Pakistan’s first short-form digital media platform has honoured Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director China Pakistan Study Centre with “Champion of Change” gold medal. This distinction for Dr. Talat Shabbir was in recognition for his commitment to change and improving perception and ensuring better understanding between Pakistan-China relationship. His efforts also included better understanding of the Pakistan China relationship at Policy, business and citizens’ level.

The gold medal “Champion of Change” was presented by Amir Jahangir, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of RINSTRA at a ceremony held in Islamabad. The event was jointly organized by RINSTRA and (ISSI) Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad.

Speaking on the occasion, Amir Jahangir said, “We are pleased to recognize Dr Talat’s services towards building the strong knowledge base and enabling perception change which is more fact based for better understanding the relationship between China and Pakistan. He is a true champion of change, who has done so much with selfless service and dedication.” He further said, “this gold medal also puts the burden of responsibility on the shoulders of Dr. Talat to push his efforts an extra mile”.

Dr. Talat Shabbir Director China Pakistan Study Centre, in his acceptance speech said that, “this is a great honour and responsibility and I am humbled by this Award. China Pakistan Study Centre provides a platform for quality policy input through informed research, objective analysis and dialogue on regional and international issues affecting peace, security and development of Pakistan. I will keep working to create knowledge resources among the youth and the business community alike while providing strategic direction for policy makers.”

Diplomatic relation between Peoples Republic of China and Pakistan was established on 21 May 1951. Although people to people understanding between the two countries is exemplary hoverer cultural understanding between businesses and people can be improved. More than 60,000 Chinese expats live in Pakistan and more than 20,000 Pakistani students are studying in Chinese universities. Pakistan exports to China stood at US$1.87 Billion during 2020. Multibillion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor has strengthened China Pakistan partnership yet there is much more work required in People to People Relationship Building in Knowledge Development.

Dr. Talat Shabbir is Director China Pakistan study Centre at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad, where he oversees research and advocacy on all facets of Pakistan-China relations. He holds a PhD in International Relations from the Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. He has M. Phil in International Relations from University of Karachi, Masters in International Relations from University of Balochistan and Masters in Political Science from University of Punjab. His research areas include Pakistan, South Asia, Belt and Road Initiative, CPEC and Pakistan-China relations. Dr. Shabbir has been a visiting scholar at Sigur Centre for Asian Studies, George Washington University, USA. He has been on the faculty of Institute of Strategic Studies Research and Analysis (ISSRA), National Defence University (NDU) where he was responsible to conduct national security and national media workshops. Besides editing a quarterly magazine for China Pakistan Study Centre, he regularly contributes to newspapers on domestic, regional and global politics and participates in panel discussions on various TV channels to address issues impacting Pakistan. He has diverse experience of management, administration, public relations, advocacy, HR and media. Dr. Talat also has literary interests and has two books to his credit, a book of short stories and a collection of selected poetry.

RINSTRA is the outcome of the thought leadership of Dice Foundation USA’s Creative Arts and Media Initiative (DICE CAM). It is part of Dice Foundation’s National Innovation Basket (NIB) program, which aims to create media as a corner stones of Pakistan’s growth strategy.

RINSTRA is Pakistan’s first short-form digital media platform for on-demand streaming and for creation of user generated original content on iRINSTRA. The organization provides entrepreneurship opportunities to emerging and established content creators and film makers in Pakistan and beyond. RINSTRA gives content creators access to a large Pakistani community around the globe, and it has been able to create a unique platform that offers dramas and films, while enabling users to generate their own content on the same platform. It also has a feature for Content Competition where, more than 100 academic institutions in Pakistan are competing on various thematic areas. The Fest feature of the application has provided some of the leading Film Festivals to partner with RINSTRA for digital viewing of their films and documentaries. This has created an unprecedented experience for viewers in the country.