Institute of Business Administration Karachi is set to host the Teaching and Learning Symposium 2026, bringing together educators, academic leaders and higher education professionals to discuss how universities can adapt teaching and learning practices in the age of Artificial Intelligence. The symposium is scheduled for October 19, 2026, at the IBA City Campus in Karachi and will focus on the changing role of universities as AI tools increasingly become part of education, academic work and professional environments. The event is being organised as a collaborative initiative involving IBA, Aga Khan University, Habib University, Institute for Educational Development at Aga Khan University and the Network of Quality, Teaching and Learning. The central panel discussion will examine what universities should teach today and how academic institutions can start, adapt and continue their educational approaches as AI becomes more widely used. The organisers are inviting educators, academic leaders and other higher education professionals to participate in the discussion and exchange views on the future of teaching and learning in Pakistan. The symposium is expected to provide a platform for examining how universities can respond to technological changes while continuing to prepare students for academic, professional and social environments that are increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence.
The main panel discussion, titled around the question of what universities should teach for today and tomorrow, will bring together representatives from several leading higher education institutions. Dr. Sultan Ali, President of Aga Khan University, Dr. Wasif Rizvi, President of Habib University, Salma Ahmed Alam, Chief Executive Officer of The Citizens Foundation, and Dr. Moeed W. Yusuf, Vice Chancellor of Beaconhouse National University, are listed as panelists for the session. Dr. S. Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of IBA Karachi, will moderate the discussion. The panel will consider how universities can respond to changes taking place in education and the workplace as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly relevant to different fields. The discussion is expected to address questions around curriculum development, teaching methods, student learning and the skills universities should prioritise for future graduates. Rather than focusing only on the introduction of AI tools, the symposium is positioned around a broader discussion about the role of universities and how academic institutions can prepare students for changing requirements. The participation of leaders from universities and education-focused organisations also provides an opportunity to bring different institutional perspectives into the conversation about teaching and learning.
Artificial Intelligence is increasingly becoming part of academic environments, creating new questions for universities around how students learn, how assignments are designed and how educators evaluate student work. The symposium provides an opportunity for higher education professionals to discuss these issues in the context of Pakistan and consider how teaching practices may need to evolve. Universities are also dealing with changes in the skills expected from graduates as AI tools become more capable of supporting research, writing, analysis, programming and other professional tasks. This has increased attention on whether traditional approaches to teaching and assessment remain suitable and which skills students should develop alongside their ability to use emerging technologies. The Teaching and Learning Symposium 2026 can provide a forum for educators to discuss these questions while sharing experiences and perspectives from different institutions. The involvement of IBA, Aga Khan University, Habib University, Institute for Educational Development and Network of Quality, Teaching and Learning also reflects an effort to bring together organisations with experience in higher education and educational development. The event is intended to encourage discussion about how teaching can remain relevant while technology continues to influence academic and professional environments.
The symposium will take place on Monday, October 19, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at IBA City Campus in Karachi. Educators, academic leaders and higher education professionals interested in the future of teaching and learning can register for participation through the registration link shared by IBA. The event will provide an opportunity for participants to hear from senior representatives of universities and education organisations and discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with teaching in an AI-influenced environment. For Pakistani universities, discussions around artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly relevant as students enter professional fields where AI tools are likely to form part of everyday workflows. The symposium therefore places attention on how academic institutions can consider these changes when developing curricula, teaching approaches and learning environments. By bringing together leaders from multiple institutions, the Teaching and Learning Symposium 2026 is expected to create a space for discussion around the future direction of higher education and the role universities can play in preparing students for an environment where technology and artificial intelligence continue to evolve.
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