Strategies for developing future-leading varsities discussed

LAHORE:The University of Management and Technology (UMT) hosted an international conference and expo on Future-Ready Universities, which brought together leading voices from academia, policy and industry to chart a new course for higher education in Pakistan.

According to a press release, the event was chaired by UMT's Provost, Dr Asghar Zaidi. The conference was attended by UMT’s Rector Dr Asif Raza, Chief Adviser Lieutenant General (R) Javed Hassan, along with a large number of educational, industrial and research experts, policymakers, faculty members and students.

The conference also featured keynote addresses by renowned international experts, including Prof David Palfreyman (Oxford), Dr Nishat Riaz (Malala Fund) and a session by Prof Atta-Ur-Rahman, former Chairman of the Higher Education Commission. Over a dozen panel discussions and workshops explored critical themes such as AI integration, pedagogical transformation, inclusive campuses, and alignment with the future labour market.

The conference also presented solutions to challenges related to smart campuses, green technology and digital learning. The primary goal of the event was to collaboratively work on strategies for developing future-leading universities, enabling educational institutions to meet global standards.