Islamabad : Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Program Rana Mashhood Khan has said two hundred billion rupees will be given to the youth in loans this year under the Prime Minister’s Youth Program to enable them to start their businesses.
Addressing the 6th Rectors Conference held at the OIC-COMSTECH Secretariat jointly organized by the Association of Private Sector Universities Pakistan (APSUP) and COMSTECH in collaboration with several leading Pakistani universities. The event witnessed remarkable participation, with around 170 Vice Chancellors and Rectors from across Pakistan, including 40 foreign delegates representing 17 countries.
Prof. Dr. Chaudhary Abdul Rehman, Chairman APSUP, presided over the inauguration ceremony. During the opening session, Dr. Abdul Basit, President APSUP Federal Chapter, delivered the welcome note, emphasizing the importance of academic leadership in promoting national development. Prof. Dr. Sumaira Rehman, Rector Superior University, presented the keynote address on “Leading with Character: From Aspiration to Action,” sharing insights from the leadership model of Superior University.
Distinguished guests of honour addressing the ceremony included Andrew Halus, Minister Counsellor for Public Diplomacy, U.S. Embassy to Pakistan; Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General COMSTECH; and Dr. Dan Stoenescu, Ambassador of Romania to Pakistan. The Chief Guest, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, appreciated the joint efforts of APSUP and COMSTECH in bringing together national and international higher education leaders on one platform. The session concluded with the distribution of souvenirs, a group photo, and a networking break.
Following the inauguration, the conference transitioned into the four Validation Forums for National Policy Development. The first forum addressed Pakistan’s governance deficit, discussing administrative challenges, centralization issues, and the requirements for a more responsive and accountable system.
The second forum explored the leadership crisis in academia, highlighting the need for character-driven leadership grounded in integrity and trust.
The third forum focused on higher education reforms, addressing curriculum modernization, research priorities, policy advancement, and global competitiveness.
The fourth forum featured perspectives from international delegates on academic leadership and governance.
The 6th Rectors Conference reaffirmed the shared commitment of national and international academic leaders to advancing evidence-based policy development and strengthening Pakistan’s higher education landscape.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
