, 24th, January 2026
On 24th January 2026, students of Lahore College for Women University attended a panel discussion titled “Who Needs a University Anymore?” at ThinkFest’26. The session was moderated by Ms. Khadija Amer, Director of Punjab Group. The Vice Chancellor of Lahore College for Women University, Prof. Dr. Uzma Qureshi, had the honor of participating in ThinkFest’26 as a panelist. The discussion also featured distinguished panelists from around the world and aimed to highlight the future of learning.
Among the panelists was Dr. Zeinab Badawi, President of SOAS University of London, who has spent much of her career as a policymaker and scholar. She brought a deeply global perspective on the role of universities, emphasizing how they shape public debate, leadership, and society’s understanding of itself in a rapidly changing world. Dr. Sohail Naqvi, Chairman and Executive Director of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), shared insights based on his firsthand experience of the evolving educational landscape and its implications for the future of universities. Dr. Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of IBA Karachi, contributed an important perspective on the role of universities in promoting social mobility and economic opportunity, particularly in a country like Pakistan. Dr. Adeel Malik, Co-founder of the Oxford Pakistan Programme, also participated in the discussion, adding valuable insights to the dialogue. Prof. Dr. Uzma Qureshi highlighted that students should be given freedom of thought and should not be pressured into making choices against their will. She emphasized the need for greater autonomy for universities, stating that external interference often hinders their progress. She also shed light on women working in STEM and related fields, acknowledging their strength and potential despite societal discouragement. She concluded on a positive note, reaffirming her commitment to the empowerment of women and the development of strong institutional infrastructure.