KARACHI, October 19, 2026: The Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi, in collaboration with Aga Khan University (AKU) and Habib University (HU), organised the Annual Teaching and Learning Symposium 2026 at IBA’s Main Campus, bringing together academic leaders, educators and researchers to explore the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education.
Held under the theme “AI in Pedagogy,” the symposium attracted participants from Karachi, other parts of Pakistan and abroad to discuss how AI is transforming teaching and learning and how universities can adapt their academic approaches to the rapidly evolving technology.
In her welcome remarks, Dr Sana Tauseef, Conference Chair and Director of IBA Karachi’s Office of Academic Quality and Excellence, highlighted the importance of collaboration among academic institutions in addressing AI’s impact on education. She also acknowledged the leadership of the three participating universities.
Dr Farid Panjwani, Dean of AKU’s Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED), described the symposium as a significant milestone in advancing teaching and learning through collective efforts.
A leadership panel titled “Teaching for Today and Tomorrow: What Should Universities Stop, Start, and Continue in the AI Era” was moderated by Dr S Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of IBA Karachi.
The panel featured Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin, President of Aga Khan University; Wasif Rizvi, President of Habib University; Salma Aslam, Chief Executive Officer of Durbeen; and Dr Moeed W Yusuf, Vice Chancellor of Beaconhouse National University. The discussion focused on the role of universities in responding to the changes brought about by AI and rethinking teaching practices for the future.
A major highlight of the symposium was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) among IBA Karachi, Aga Khan University and Habib University. The agreement reaffirmed the three institutions’ shared commitment to academic collaboration, innovation and the advancement of teaching and learning.
The keynote address, titled “Critical Thinking and Agency in the Age of AI: Time to Re-think Higher Education?”, was delivered by Dr Fazilat Siddiq, Professor at the University of Oslo, Norway. She highlighted the importance of critical thinking, learner agency and the integration of technological, pedagogical and content knowledge in higher education.
The symposium also featured interactive sessions, an EdTech Innovation Showcase, Visual Voices and a student performance, providing opportunities for participants to exchange ideas and explore innovative approaches to education.
The event concluded with an awards ceremony and closing remarks by Dr Jane Rarieya, Vice Provost for Quality, Teaching and Learning at Aga Khan University, and Dr Mohammad Shahid Shaikh, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Habib University.
The organisers reaffirmed that collaboration among higher education institutions is essential to promoting innovation and ensuring that teaching and learning remain responsive to the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence.