TP REPORT
Mardan: Women University Mardan successfully concluded its three-day international conference titled “The Future Reimagined: Innovation through Science, Social Science and Global Collaboration (FutureCon-2026)”, bringing together academicians, researchers, policymakers, and students from across Pakistan and abroad to deliberate on contemporary global challenges and future-oriented solutions.
The conference was organized in collaboration with COMSTECH, Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan Science and Technology Information Centre (PASTIC), Bank of Khyber, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, and other partner institutions. The event featured research paper presentations, keynote addresses, and academic discussions focusing on innovation, multidisciplinary research, and global cooperation.
Addressing the concluding session, Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Razia Sultana emphasized the importance of global academic collaboration and the need to strengthen linkages with national and international academic and research institutions for organizing such scholarly forums. She announced that Women University Mardan is working on the establishment of a Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence and a Center of Art and Design to promote innovation, creativity, and research excellence. She further informed that the university plans to organize another international conference in collaboration with other universities in June 2026 at the Baragali Summer Campus, University of Peshawar.
During the concluding session, Dr. Farhat Jabeen, Dr. Sattar (Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan), and Dr. Hikmat Afridi, Director Academics, APSCS Sialkot, shared their views on the two-day multidisciplinary academic engagements and appreciated the conference for providing an effective platform for intellectual exchange and interdisciplinary dialogue.
The conference was graced by Commissioner Mardan, Mr. Muhammad Javed Marwat, as the Chief Guest, while Professor Dr. Qibla Ayaz attended as the Guest of Honour. In his address, Dr. Qibla Ayaz highlighted the relevance of the conference theme “The Future Reimagined”, stating that artificial intelligence cannot be ignored and must be responsibly adopted for the betterment of society. He likened the transformative impact of AI to the invention of the printing press and stressed the need for reimagining the future to achieve sustainable progress. He emphasized that reimagination is deeply linked with human intellect and innovation, and encouraged the younger generation to play an active role in shaping the future.
In his remarks, Commissioner Mardan Mr. Muhammad Javed Marwat appreciated the successful organization of the conference and highlighted the significance of its thoughtfully constructed theme, encompassing the future reimagined, innovation through science and social science, and global collaboration. He stressed that applied sciences alone are insufficient without social sciences, as societal development depends on communication, collaboration, and interconnectedness. He further emphasized the importance of skill-based and technical education, noting that the lack of skilled labor limits economic opportunities. He commended the Vice Chancellor and the organizing team for their efforts.
As part of the closing ceremony, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with Press Club Mardan and GC University Faisalabad (College of Allied Health Professionals) to enhance academic collaboration, research partnerships, and media engagement.
The conference concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Hina Jabeen, followed by the distribution of shields and certificates among the participants and organizers, marking the successful completion of the international academic event.
