Islamabad (GNP): The official launch of Young CEOs, Entrepreneurs and Innovators Summit, Expo & Awards 2026.
An important monthly meeting of Vice Chancellors and Rectors of federal universities and higher education institutions in Islamabad and Rawalpindi was held at Air University, Islamabad, bringing together senior university leadership to deliberate upon key issues concerning higher education, academic collaboration, institutional development and emerging challenges facing the sector.
Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, S.I., attended the meeting as Chief Guest, accompanied by senior HEC officials, including Dr. Shafiq ur Rehman, Dr. Nasir Mahmood and Dr. Habib Boukhari.
Air Marshal (R) Abdul Moeed Khan, HI(M), Vice Chancellor, Air University, welcomed the participating Vice Chancellors and Rectors and highlighted the importance of collective efforts and greater collaboration among higher education institutions for addressing emerging challenges and promoting academic excellence.
During the interactive session, the university leaders exchanged views on strengthening quality assurance mechanisms, enhancing research and innovation, promoting inter-university collaboration, improving institutional governance, and ensuring academic excellence across Pakistan’s higher education sector.
The participants emphasized the need for greater sharing of expertise, resources, and best practices among universities and agreed to undertake joint initiatives aimed at strengthening institutional cooperation, improving educational standards, and fostering sustainable academic growth.
The participants also visited the Cyber Security Centre at Air University, where they were briefed on the Centre’s activities, capabilities, and initiatives in the field of cybersecurity and emerging technologies.
A significant highlight of the meeting was the official launch of the Young CEOs, Entrepreneurs and Innovators Summit, Expo & Awards 2026 by Chairman HEC Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, along with Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and members of the organizing committee.
The Summit is scheduled to be held on 15–16 October 2026 at Bahria University Islamabad as a follow-up to the recommendations of the 6th International Students Convention & Expo, with a focus on promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership and industry-academia linkages among young people.
The gathering provided an important platform for meaningful dialogue between university leadership and higher education policymakers. The participants reaffirmed their collective commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s higher education system through excellence in teaching and research, innovation, entrepreneurship, effective governance, and greater institutional collaboration.
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The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to strengthen the spirit of cooperation among universities and collectively contribute to human capital development and Pakistan’s socio-economic and national development.
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.
