Biz Today International Report
KARACHI: The 4th PAC Teachers’ Conference organized by Pakistan Academic Consortium (PAC) in collaboration with SPELT & Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKUEB) on Saturday, March 9th at IBA, emerged as a beacon of innovation and collaboration in the realm of education. Themed as ‘Revitalizing Pedagogies: Navigating Human Connections in Digital Classrooms’ largely attended by school heads and teachers, the conference served as a catalyst for insightful discussions and visionary perspectives aimed at reshaping the future of education.
The day commenced with a welcome note by Conference Chair Nasir R. Zaidi, Founding President PAC, who extended a warm welcome while emphasizing the significance of collaboration amongst educators to foster excellence in country’s educational landscape.
Senator (r) Javed Jabbar, Former Federal Minister for Information, Science & Technology, delivered a thought-provoking keynote speech marked by profound appreciation for PAC’s commitment to inclusivity, particularly in engaging a large number of female teachers in the conference. He emphasized the pivotal role of educators as real change-makers in society, urging stakeholders to prioritize investment in education for sustainable social and economic development followed by Dr. Fatima Dar’s session on empowering digital natives with essential social-emotional skills.
Prof. Dr. Farhan Essa Abdullah, President Pakistan US Alumni Network, delivered a compelling speech on the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program 2025 offered by USEFP. Dr. Abdullah highlighted the importance of international exchange programs in promoting crosscultural understanding and enhancing language teaching methodologies. He encouraged educators to explore opportunities for professional development through initiatives like FLTA, which offer immersive experiences in teaching languages and promoting cultural exchange.
An engaging panel discussion moderated by Ms. Lubna Panjwani, Director PROWESS Pakistan, explored diverse dimensions of revitalizing pedagogies in digital classrooms. Distinguished panelists including Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Omair Saeed, Shoaib Siddiqui and Syed Azfar Hussain shared insights on leveraging technology, fostering resilience among teachers and promoting collaborative leadership for student success. Mohsin Tejani, President SPELT moderated another discussion on ‘The Power of We: Collaborative Leadership for Student Success, offering valuable strategies for educational leaders seeking to harness the collective power of collaboration to drive positive change in their schools and communities. The speakers included Muzaffar Bukhari, Ather Khan, Danish Faruqi & Binish Umair.
Sessions on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education led by Mr. Abbas Husain, Director Teachers’ Development Centre and Ms. Munira Muhammad, an esteemed AKUEB Expert, sparked thought-provoking discussions on the ethical implications and transformative potential of AI-driven assessment methodologies followed by Samad Abbas’s session on Teachers’ Resilience. The conference culminated with a memento presentation ceremony honoring contributions of guests and speakers. Prof. Zakia Sarwar, Patron-in-Chief SPELT, delivered poignant concluding remarks, emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning and collaboration in shaping the future of education.
The Chief Guest Dr. Naveed Yousuf, Interim CEO Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKUEB) lauded the organizers for orchestrating a landmark event that facilitated robust dialogue and knowledge exchange amongst stakeholders.
In closing address, Conference Co-Chair Fahad N. Siddiqui, General Secretary and Arsalan Faruqi, Senior Vice President PAC, expressed profound gratitude to all delegates, guest speakers and knowledge partners for their dedication to advancing educational excellence in Pakistan and supporting PAC’s initiative. The conference concluded on a resounding note leaving attendees equipped with innovative strategies to navigate the evolving landscape of education in the digital age.
