The Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi, Aga Khan University (AKU) and Habib University have joined hands to advance the use of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning through academic collaboration and innovation. The three institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Annual Teaching and Learning Symposium 2026, hosted at IBA Karachi’s Main Campus on October 19. The event, themed “AI in Pedagogy,” brought together academic leaders, educators, researchers and teaching professionals from Karachi, other parts of Pakistan and international institutions to discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with integrating AI into higher education.
The symposium focused on how universities can respond to the growing influence of AI on classroom practices, teaching methods and student learning. During the welcome remarks, Dr Sana Tauseef, Director of IBA Karachi’s Office of Academic Quality and Excellence and conference chair, highlighted the importance of collaboration between educational institutions in addressing AI’s impact on higher education. Dr Farid Panjwani, Dean of AKU’s Institute for Educational Development, described the gathering as a significant step towards advancing teaching and learning through collective efforts. The MoU between IBA Karachi, AKU and Habib University formalised their shared commitment to working together on academic collaboration and innovation in teaching and learning.
A leadership panel titled “Teaching for Today and Tomorrow: What Should Universities Stop, Start, and Continue in the AI Era” explored how higher education institutions should adapt their practices as AI becomes more widely used. The discussion was moderated by IBA Karachi Executive Director Dr S Akbar Zaidi and included AKU President Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin, Habib University President Wasif Rizvi, Durbeen Chief Executive Officer Salma Aslam, and Beaconhouse National University Vice Chancellor Dr Moeed W Yusuf. The programme also featured a keynote address by Dr Fazilat Siddiq, Professor at the University of Oslo in Norway. Her address, titled “Critical Thinking and Agency in the Age of AI: Time to Re-think Higher Education?”, highlighted the importance of critical thinking, learner agency and the integration of technological, pedagogical and subject knowledge in academic settings.
Other activities included interactive sessions, an EdTech Innovation Showcase, Visual Voices and a student performance, bringing different perspectives on the use of technology in education into the discussion. The event concluded with an awards ceremony and closing remarks from Dr Jane Rarieya, AKU’s Vice Provost for Quality, Teaching and Learning, and Dr Mohammad Shahid Shaikh, Habib University’s Vice President for Academic Affairs. Both reiterated the value of academic collaboration in advancing higher education. While the MoU signals a shared commitment among the three universities, the announcement did not specify a detailed implementation timeline or particular AI tools to be introduced. The collaboration comes as universities increasingly examine how AI can support teaching while maintaining a focus on critical thinking, student participation and effective learning practices.
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