Iqra University hosts conference on emerging trends, innovation

ICIET draws international, local researchers from education, business fields

KARACHI: Karachi is a peaceful city now, said Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair while addressing the inaugural ceremony of a two-day international conference on Saturday.

Local and international researchers will present research papers at the International Conference on Innovation and Emerging Trends [ICIET] in Business Management, Education and Social Sciences organised by Iqra University.

Addressing the audience, the governor urged foreign delegates at the event to spread the message in their home countries that Karachi is no longer a city of violence and crime. He said that within the last three to four years, the government managed to bring a change in Karachi's environment and it is now ideal for commercial activity.



According to Zubair, his priority is to make Karachi a hub of commercial activity, just like Dubai. He praised Iqra University Chancellor Hunaid Hussain Lakhani for organising the event that attracted delegates of international and national stature.

The conference was jointly organised by Iqra University, Karachi University [KU] and Sindh University, while it has partially been funded by Higher Education Commission [HEC] of Pakistan. The ceremony began with a welcome address by Iqra University Vice-Chancellor Dr Wasim Qazi, who apprised the audience of the core values of the institution and said research and innovation will be the foremost priority of the varsity.

During his keynote address, Dr Robert Griffin of Oklahoma City University, United States, spoke about the digital era and its impact on students' psyche. He stressed on the delicate role of teachers to ensure that technology is used to enhance learning and building a positive attitude.



KU Vice-Chancellor Dr Ajmal Khan expressed his appreciation for Iqra University for developing high-quality infrastructure for private sector education and taking the initiative of organising the conference. He highlighted the need to develop indigenous technology and produce finished goods, instead of relying on production in a raw form.

HEC Executive Director Dr Arshad Ali emphasised the priorities of the commission, which, he said, were to develop a higher education institution at the district level, in order to ensure that the quality of education is at an international level.