Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja has been announced as the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at the 13th Deans and Directors Conference, scheduled to take place on June 1, 2026, at Marriott Hotel Islamabad, beginning at 11:00 AM. The conference, held under the banner of the Tech Destination Pakistan initiative by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, will centre on the theme of Strategic Leadership and Governance in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, bringing together academic and institutional leaders from across the country for a high-level exchange on the intersection of technology, education, and governance.
The 13th Deans and Directors Conference is one of the key annual gatherings that brings together the leadership of Pakistan’s academic institutions, including deans, directors, and senior administrators from universities and higher education bodies. The event provides a structured platform for exploring how academic institutions can align their strategic priorities with national development goals, and this year’s edition places artificial intelligence squarely at the centre of that conversation. As Pakistan navigates a period of rapid technological change, the role of academic leadership in shaping how institutions respond to artificial intelligence, both as a subject of study and as a tool for institutional transformation, has become increasingly important.
Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja’s keynote address is expected to draw on her work at the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, where she has been a driving force behind Pakistan’s broader digital agenda, including initiatives related to artificial intelligence adoption, technology exports, digital infrastructure, and the expansion of the IT workforce. Her participation as Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker signals the government’s intent to foster closer alignment between the higher education sector and the national technology policy framework, recognising that universities and academic institutions play a foundational role in producing the talent and research that will define Pakistan’s digital future. Leaders and policymakers interested in attending may reach out through official Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication channels for further details on participation.
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