Pilgrim in Pakistan: A Board Member’s Story

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Written by Friends of Forman Board Member, Heather Wright

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines pilgrim as “one who journeys in foreign lands, a wayfarer, but also as one who travels to a shrine or holy place as a devotee.”  On my trip, I knew I was traveling to a foreign land, but I was surprised to discover that I was also going to a holy place. 

“When you go on this trip, it will be life transforming.”  Another member of the board I am on told me this. At the time, I thought to myself, “how could that happen in 10 days?”  I recently returned from a trip to Pakistan. I was there with five others from the American board that supports a Christian university in Lahore, the capital of the Punjab region.  The Board is Friends of Forman and the school, Forman Christian College and University.  I’ve been on the board for 2 1/2 years. When I started, I was told that every board member goes to visit the school. Given my heart for educating persecuted women and the minority Christians in an Islamic country, I knew I could be a committed board member. But, I thought, “there was no way I’m go to Pakistan.”  Fear and a desire to avoid taking unnecessary risks were driving motives. However, as I heard more students’ stories, the impact of the school on the culture and even military in that country, I sensed a longing and desire to meet the people that I was serving.

In February, a week after a contested election and protests that led to loss of life, I flew alone to Qatar and waited 13 hours in the Dubai airport for the rest of the group to arrive. We flew into the airport in Lahore at 2:30 in the morning and it was a start of entering a whole New World and finding God there.

The music, food, modes of transportation, including tuk tuks, or whole families on motorcycles, carts pulled by water buffalo, pollution, traditional dance and clothing, the language, bazaar, architecture, were all so foreign to me.  I wondered what it must have been like for Charles Forman, a Presbyterian missionary from Kentucky 160 years ago, who got off a 5-month boat ride to serve the people of India (before the partition with Pakistan).  He realized the need for education so started teaching under a tree and now the University bearing his name has almost 9,000 students. 

As much as it was foreign, I was overwhelmed by the gracious and formal hospitality everyone showed us.  We were served tea and cookies at every meeting we attended and given many gifts.  They have a high value of family, faith, and traditional ways, evident in their dress, arranged marriages and members of the opposite sex not touching for a handshake or embrace.  The college and university students reflect the culture with a majority Sunni Muslim, but also some Ahmadi, Sikh, and a large percentage of Christians (10%) for a country that is only 1.5% Christians.  Beyond students, there are many Christian faculty and staff along with the Rector and Vice-Rector. Muslim students not only meet Christians and other religious students and staff but grow in tolerance and respect for those who believe as they do. 

Everyone’s kindness despite their economic and political challenges surprised me.  In Pakistan, having an education changes not only the life and prospects of a student, but it can also elevate their entire family and even their village. We spent a day in a remote village with one of the Christian college students and their family.  They took us to where the entire family worked in the nearby brick kiln.  They work 6 days a week from sunup to sundown, both parents and their children. Three of them demonstrated for us how the bricks are made.  They were all working to help their son get an education.  Our American board raises money to scholarship students like Shafiq.

We heard a great deal of pain about the persecution and difficulty being a persecuted minority with the ever-present fear of being falsely accused of the charge of blasphemy, for which the punishment is the death penalty.  But my greater takeaway was what I witnessed in the Presbyterian church service we attended in Urdu.  The words, “Jesu – Hushi” were repeated over and over.  Afterwards, I asked the Pakistani minister at our tea what they meant “Jesus – Joy.”  I had a sense in their music of celebration, despite what they were going through, they knew a lot about hushi – joy.  I was humbled by their joy and gratitude to God for all their blessings despite their challenges. 

I was humbled by the deep faith that I discovered there, the kindness of strangers, the interfaith respect and understanding on this campus in a region of war, violence, and intolerance, and the ability to flourish even under the harshest conditions.  I was grateful for Charles Forman who planted seeds 160 years ago that have grown and given generations, especially of minorities and women, hope and a future.  I am a grateful pilgrim for all those I met and grateful God gave me the courage to step out in faith and find him there.

I am a grateful pilgrim for all those I met and for the gift of courage to step out in faith and find God there.

Empowering Education with Financial Aid and Scholarships

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Higher education has long been a cornerstone of progress, promoting tolerance, innovation, and stronger communities across Pakistan and the globe. Despite prevalent economic challenges, a quality university education remains a tool that empowers individuals, fosters independence, and unlocks a world of opportunity. For 160 years, Forman Christian College (A Chartered University), has championed this vision.

FCCU’s robust financial aid programs go beyond simply covering costs. They play a vital role in building a vibrant and diverse campus community, one that reflects the richness of Pakistan. For many students, these scholarships not only unlock a world of academic exploration but also experiences that shape their lives and equip them for future success.

Over the last few years, Pakistan has faced formidable challenges, including a pandemic, floods, earthquakes, and politico-economic upheaval. With service at the core of the university’s motto, FCCU responded by offering immediate relief to students affected, while also working tirelessly to increase its general scholarship fund.

In the 2022-23 academic year alone, FCCU awarded over PKR 338 million in scholarships to 2,317 students. This isn’t just an investment in education – it’s an investment in Pakistan’s future. In the subsequent academic year (2023-24), FCCU exceeded expectations by awarding PKR 430 million in scholarships across all levels – Intermediate, Undergraduate, and Postgraduate.

FCCU’s scholarship program is fueled by a network of supporters – alumni, faculty, staff, foundations, philanthropists, and corporate partners – who share FCCU’s vision. The goal is clear: ensure all qualified students can receive higher education, regardless of their social, economic, or religious background, contributing to a brighter future. This generation of Forman graduates, following in the footsteps of over 30,000 alumni, will undoubtedly leave their mark, embodying the college’s motto: “By Love Serve One Another.”

Take a Virtual Tour of the FCCU Campus

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About Lahore Pakistan

Forman College was established in 1864 in one of Pakistan’s most prominent cities, Lahore. Lahore captivates the hearts of those who come here to achieve their goals. Its rich culture is manifested in its festivals, literature, language, cuisine, and culture. 

The true Lahari life is visible in the city’s heart, where narrow alleys, old architecture, mosques, temples, churches, forts, museums, and centuries-old traditions prevail and speak for themselves.

About the FCCU Campus

FCCU’s campus has a parking area reserved for the FCCU community and other visitors. Three main entrances connect to this field leading up to the main campus. 

Inside the college’s walled campus is one of the greenest and most vibrant campuses in the whole city. In fact, because of its lush floral estate, many call it a garden campus.

FCCU is among the oldest educational institutions in the subcontinent with a rich history spanning over 157 years. Dr. Charles Forman founded FCCU as a college with just a handful of students. Today, it’s a chartered university. Along the way, FCCU has been a pioneer of academic breakthroughs.

The campus provides a safe space for religious and ethnic minorities. FCCU has a robust scholarship fund to help students meet their financial needs. Through the years, we have developed a foundation for providing quality education with innovative and revolutionary ideas.  

Academics at FCCU

FCCU’s four-year baccalaureate honors program offers an American-style world-class liberal arts education system with affordable tuition. Our faculty are some of the most qualified people in their respective fields. The university offers PhD programs, Masters, and executive education courses in various disciplines. 

FCCU boasts a very diverse student body with students coming from all corners of the country. Alumni are prominent in arts, literature, business, and politics.

Campus Amenities

The main ground is a common space for everyone to hang out in the sun or play the sport they choose. The newly completed campus center is dedicated to university students. There is no other center of this kind anywhere in Pakistan. It offers much-needed spaces for dining, leisure, and entertainment— all of which will foster a sense of community and student engagement.  

Many campus buildings are equipped with smart classrooms, which are fully equipped with the latest technology to offer an immersive and engaging learning experience. Smart classrooms are used to teach a variety of courses. Executive lounges offer students a separate place to study and socialize. The campus also boasts a writing center established to help students with their academic and creative writing. 

FCCU’s campus provides free wi-fi access to all students. Coupled with computer labs, students are fully equipped to study, do research, and work on their assignments across the campus. 

Extracurricular Activities

There are over 35 clubs and societies so each student can find an extracurricular activity to find their interests. This includes:

  • Debate society 
  • Earth watch 
  • Track clubs 
  • The leadership forum
  • Young entrepreneurial platform
  • The photography society 
  • Music society 
  • Foreign language clubs
  • Dramatics and performing arts

FCCU also has an active sports department featuring intramural sports competitions in: 

  • Basketball
  • Badminton
  • Table tennis
  • Football
  • Handball
  • Cricket
  • Hockey
  • Tennis

Athletes can use various campus facilities, including an eight-lane grass track, a football field, cricket field, handball court, hockey field, six tennis courts, a basketball court, four badminton courts, a table tennis hall, and a community wellness gym.

Other Campus Features

As a university, FCCU is concerned with teaching values and building strong positive character traits and discipline in its students. For Christian students, a weekly chapel service is offered on Friday. For Muslim students, there are two mosques on campus, and Friday prayers are offered at the main mosque. No classes are scheduled during Friday prayer or chapel times. 

The university operates emergency first response services through the Mercy Health Center, an on-campus facility equipped for the routine medical needs of the campus community. The campus counseling center is situated on the top floor of the Mercy Health Center. Its core functions are to build therapeutic relationships and provide a physical and emotional space to the community.

The Light of Hope School is an on-campus facility designed to provide quality education to about 200 underprivileged children whose parents are working as support staff. The school has state-of-the-art classrooms and activity grounds 

The campus’ botanical garden features various plants and trees, which the Department of Environmental Sciences and Biological Sciences uses for research. 

FCCU Student Story: Simon

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I am Simon, and I am doing a Baccalaureate in Education, with Psychology as a minor at FCCU.

I have five siblings and all of them are studying at different levels in schools and colleges. My father is the earning head of my family, he had been serving in the PAK ARMY and recently retired.

After college I had to choose a university for me, seeing as FCCU is a Christian institution and has a rich history of excellence, I applied for admission here. I am the first person in my family to attend a university.


I applied for financial aid at FCCU because it was difficult for my family to bear all my educational and living expenses. The Financial Aid Office helped me to continue my studies despite the financial constraints by supporting me financially with my tuition fee.

Not only financial support but FCCU also provided me with a supportive and holistic campus environment which enabled me to thrive not only in academics but in extra-curricular activities as well.


I have been living in an on-campus hostel since the start of my university career and for me, FCCU is not an institution but my second home. It is a community of loving, supportive, and welcoming people who welcome students from diverse backgrounds irrespective of their religion, race, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity. FCCU helped me academically, financially, and socially, and made me continue my studies unhindered.

With this formidable environment, I was able to maintain an exceptional CGPA due to which my name was listed in the Vice Rector’s List three times in my four semesters. I rendered my services in different positions as a Media Manager, Workshop Coordinator, Director Management, and Host, in different FCCU societies. I am also a part of the Athletic team.


Moreover, the rising inflation has affected both my family and me, resulting in increased educational expenses and the rising costs of essential items. To cope with these challenges, we’ve had to tighten our budget and make sacrifices to meet our basic needs.

Being a student from an underprivileged background, I have witnessed several challenges that students face in the field of education. This experience led me to choose Education as the major of my degree so that I can contribute to the education system of Pakistan efficiently. I got to know about challenges in the educational curriculum, policies, and structural problems within the educational system of Pakistan and the potential solutions to them. The faculty of the department of education is highly qualified and expert in their field, the teachers always guide and assist students in every way possible. The most interesting part of my education program is the project-based learning experiences, collaborative activities, and hands-on practice of teaching techniques.


In addition to the subject knowledge, I learned the skills pertinent to my major and gained valuable opportunities for personal development and growth by reading books, participating in activities, and interacting with my instructors and peers. In the future I intend to work for the education system of Pakistan, bringing reforms to educational policies and making education accessible for everyone. I intend to work for the students’ facing challenges in their educational voyage, helping them at institutional, academic, and financial levels so that they excel in their careers and contribute towards making a literate, civilized society.


For our donors: You are the true embodiment of FCCU’s motto “By love serve one another”. Your support has made many dreams materialize. Because of your support, I have been able to pursue my education with dedication and focus. Your generosity has had a huge impact on my life, and I am truly thankful for the opportunities it has provided me with. It has relieved a significant financial burden, allowing me to fully engage in studies and extracurricular activities. As a result, I have made significant academic progress, achieving grades and accomplishments that would have been far more challenging without your help. I want you to know that your investment in education is not taken lightly and it motivates me to strive for excellence. I promise you to make the most of this opportunity and one day, pay it forward to help others achieve their educational dreams just as you have done for me.

Lahore-Native Aqueila Seeks To Use Her Education To Help Her Family

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A Long-Time Aspiring FCCU Student

My name is Aqueila, and I reside in Lahore, Pakistan. 

I’ve wanted to be a student at Forman Christian College since my school days. FCCU is a famous and prestigious university here in Lahore; it’s also a great platform for Christian students. FCCU promises a bright future for each one of its students. 

Forman College provides a stage for the communication, enhancement, and improvement of the professional attitude of Pakistan’s youth. It allows students from every province and every religion to unite in one place.

My Family’s History

My father is the only one who earns a living for my family. He works as a lab assistant at Aitchison College in Lahore, where we live in the servant quarters.

I have two younger siblings—a sister and a brother—both of whom are currently students. My sister is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and my brother is studying banking and finance. 

Unfortunately, they’re not enrolled at Forman Christian College because my father cannot afford tuition for all three of us. Without financial aid, I wouldn’t be able to attend FCCU either. Thankfully, I’ve earned a scholarship to allow me to study for a career in pharmacy.

Because of the recent rising inflation, my family struggles to cover our daily expenses. My father is diabetic and works two jobs to make ends meet. This is the primary reason I want to finish my degree and be able to help provide for my family with a better job.

The Importance of Education

I’m currently in my eighth semester at FCCU—continuing to work hard and earn a good GPA. I also have a job through the work-study program in the Mass Communication Department. 

My goal after graduation is to work as a hospital pharmacist or as a drug inspector. I believe students should stay committed, motivated, and determined in their studies, appreciating their parents’ efforts. They sacrifice so much for us to be able to attend a university.

Education is important for my physical, mental, and spiritual growth. As a woman, I believe the women of Pakistan should be educated. 

There are many phases in a woman’s life, not just her childhood, her youth, and her marriage. Each of these life stages requires a woman to be strong, steadfast, and bold enough to face the challenges of this generation. I strongly believe education leads to knowledge, optimism, and confidence.

Thank You!

I am extremely grateful to all the donors who have helped me reach this level in this educational institute and this society. Your donations are surely a true help for families suffering from financial instability like mine. May God bless you and your families!

Campus Updates July 2024: International Connections

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Written by by Dr. Jonathan Addleton – FCCU Rector

Quality control and accreditation are both very much on my mind this summer. In this regard, Dr. Nayer as Registrar attended the annual International Network for Quality Assurance Agency in Higher Education (INQAAHE) conference, this year held in Romania. Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) also presented at the conference, drawing in part on Forman’s external accreditation experience involving the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). 

Our international partnerships continue to bear fruit. In this case that included an opportunity to attend the AMICAL Annual Conference online, focused this year on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and covering such topics Designing Engaging Courses with Generative AI; The Future of Higher Education in the Age of AI; and Essential AI Tools for Academic Integrity and Success. 

On short notice I arranged an informal lunch in my residence for two Program Associates from the American Bar Association (ABA), visiting Pakistan as part of a Rule of Law Program. Given that the focus of their program is on issues related to human rights and gender, several members of our faculty were also invited to attend, providing our visitors with a variety of useful perspectives. 

Shermeen Bano, Lecturer in Forman’s Sociology Department, reports that she will be leaving for Canada later this summer, having been offered a fully funded PhD fellowship in the Sociology Department at the University of British Columbia. According to Shermeen, “I am genuinely grateful for the opportunities and experiences I had during my time at Forman Christian College”.

As most readers of the Rector’s Update know, our US-based support group Friends of Forman plays a vital role in supporting scholarships and contributing to special projects such as the Jim Tebbe Campus Center. From time to time, Friends also provides important links to our past, with the children and grandchildren of those connected to Forman continuing to contribute in various ways. 

This month, those contributions included a gift via Friends from the grandson of Dr. F. Mowbray Velte who was an English professor at Forman nearly a century ago. His mother Marguerite Velte Hasbrouck — born in Lahore in 1933 and the daughter of Dr. Velte — was also a long-time Forman supporter, contributing to Friends until she passed away last year at the age of 90; his Aunt Lois, another of Dr. Velte’s daughters who died only last month at the age of 95, was also a long-time supporter of Forman Christian College (A Chartered University). 

Forman’s Admissions Office organized an Open House for  prospective graduate students in the Jim Tebbe Campus Center,  showcasing offerings, facilities, financial aid, and admissions criteria  at the graduate level. Most academic departments were represented as well as various support offices such as Admissions, Careers  Services, Financial Aid, and Church Relations. More than 500 students  attended from Forman and other Lahore-area universities. 

A delegation from the Pak Mission Society that numbered more than  twenty and included representatives from various churches and NGOs visited Forman, mostly to see our campus and become more  familiar with some of the support programs offered to Christian  students including admissions, financial aid, coaching classes, and the Christian Life program. 

I was privileged to attend the closing ceremony of the Khushali  (“Prosperity”) Program, a pioneering partnership involving Forman and the Center for Law and Justice (CLJ), along with the French Embassy, British Council, and University of Lancaster, among others. The Speaker of the Punjab Assembly also attended. The 30 female graduates, all daughters of sanitation workers, wore “caps and gowns” to the ceremony, providing a graduation experience that most probably never thought that they would have.

One Khushali graduate was missing from the graduation ceremony, a young seventeen- year-old selected as one of three Pakistanis to attend an annual summer youth gathering in Moscow; she had already departed for Russia from Pakistan the day before. However, her proud family were present to collect her graduation certificate. Forman graduate Mary Gill from CLJ and her team played a key role in organizing this inspiring program. 

We were once again pleased to provide a venue for the Pakistan Bible Society’s annual Summer Sports Festival. This year, the program started on May 31 and continued through June 15, involving hundreds of young people participating in several sports including cricket, football, basketball, and athletics. 

Campus Update July 2024: Academic Activities

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Written by by Dr. Jonathan Addleton – FCCU Rector

Despite the extreme heat, we welcomed many visitors and hosted various academic, student, outreach, and other activities on campus.

For example, the Mass Communication Department hosted a two-day “Regional Hub” event on June 20-21 funded by the International Communication Association (ICA) and organized around the theme Communication and Global Human Rights. Dr. Firasat Jabeen and her colleagues did a wonderful job in inviting speakers from across Pakistan and beyond, with some participating on-line and others joining in person from universities in Punjab, Sindh, KPK, and Balochistan. This is the first time an ICA event has been held in Pakistan, paving the way for the even larger regional ICA conference that Forman will host in early December.

Similarly, Forman’s Computer Science Department held its annual Computer Science Senior Projects Exhibition (COMSPEX) in early June, featuring more than 20 projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Many from the IT industry attended including representatives from TKXEL, Devsinc, Venturenox, and Khazana Enterprises, among others. Omair Ahmed, Saad Yasin and Ahmad Tariq were awarded “Best Senior Project in the Applications Category” for their project IntelliRoads: Next-Gen Traffic Management System for the Cities of Tomorrow, supervised by Dr. Muhammad Haroon Shakeel.

In the Research Category, the Best Senior Project Award went to Saad Muzzafar, Muhib Nadeem and Yamna Hassan for their project B-NIAS: Bi-directional Neural-Interfaced Automation Symbiosis. As for Best Poster, that award went to Hamaz Ahmed, Subhan Wasif and Maheen Khurram for their project Thought Visualization Using LLMs.

The COMSPEX event was well covered in the local media including the Lahore Rang morning television show:

In a similar vein, students enrolled in the Communication Campaign Design course offered by Forman’s Mass Communication Department were invited to ARY News/Hum TV to discuss their class project; supervised by Assistant Professor Dr. Syed Saqib. It was titled Digital Detox and focused on electronic waste management. Beyond electronic waste management, other topics covered during the Communication Campaign Design course, all organized around the UN SDGs, included nutrition for pregnant and lactating women; breaking gender stereotypes; environmental outreach; and combatting drug use, among other concerns.

Supporting Friends of Forman Helps Make God’s Love Visible in Pakistan

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Thank you to everyone who supports Friends of Forman College! Your generosity makes God’s love visible in the fifth-most populous and second-largest Muslim country in the world: Pakistan, an often forgotten corner of God’s world.

Helping Christians in Need

In Pakistan, Christians are a persecuted minority with very few options available to them except for the most menial unwanted jobs, like sewer cleaners. While Christians represent about 1.6% of Pakistan’s population of more than 241 million, they fill about 80% of these jobs. 

Unfortunately, their low social standing also means Christians have little interaction with the predominant Islamic culture. Without an education, they have very few options for different careers and remain stuck in generational poverty.

We’re so honored to share the stories of students like Asher, Lebeed, and Arbab who exemplify the FCCU motto: “by love serve one another.” 

The Hope of An Education

With a total student population of almost 9,000, Forman Christian College seeks to change that narrative. A degree from Forman offers these young Christians the opportunity to: 

  • break the cycle of generational poverty
  • find meaningful jobs in every sector of society
  • modeling and living out the commands of Christ
  • connecting to the majority society in ways that were otherwise impossible

Forman College’s campus is a true gem in the bustling and fairly chaotic major city of Lahore. Boasting a population over 13 million people, Lahore is the second-largest city in Pakistan, and the 26th largest in the world.

Since 1864, the Forman campus has a place of: 

  • peace
  • educational excellence
  • interfaith dialogue
  • harmony and hope

Respecting Every Voice

At Forman Christian College, everyone matters, and every voice is respected and heard in a way that doesn’t happen in the same way anywhere else in Pakistan. 

Forman’s leadership and faculty actively empower young women in ways that happen nowhere else in the entire Muslim world. Friends of Forman raises scholarship funds to support these promising Christian and female students who might not otherwise receive a quality education. 

The only Western-style chartered liberal arts University in Pakistan, Forman offers: 

  • 26 bachelor’s programs
  • 19 Master’s degrees
  • Five PhD programs

In November 2023, over 1,100 students were awarded degrees, including the first three graduates of the recently created Master’s in biblical studies program—the only one of its kind in Pakistan.

These graduates are launched into the larger Pakistani society and in the world, ready to bring their gifts, their leadership, and God’s love to a world that desperately needs it. Forman College is shaping the next generation of Pakistani leaders.

Thank you

This is only possible because of the generous support of people like you. Friends of Forman exists to aid in this valuable educational environment, and you’re an integral part of making that happen.

Whether you’ve made a donation, spread the word, prayed for the cause, or volunteered your time, we appreciate your love and generosity. 

The Strange Tale of Oppenheimer and Compton, Forman’s Nobel Laureate in Physics

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Finally, let me conclude this month’s Rector’s Update with a “Fun Fact,” targeted especially on those members of the Forman community who might have seen the recent movie Oppenheimer which won several major awards including an Oscar and a BAFTA for Best Picture.

While regarded as historically accurate for the most part, there is one scene that does not stick to the facts, namely when Oppenheimer as the “father of the atomic bomb” travels to Princeton to discuss with Einstein the possibility that a nuclear explosion might end up unleashing a chain reaction that ultimately destroys the world. Such a conversation did in fact take place. However, it did not involve Oppenheimer traveling to Princeton to meet Einstein, rather it involved Oppenheimer traveling to a vacation cabin on Lake Michigan to meet Forman’s Nobel Laureate Arthur Compton where he posed the fateful question!

Compton subsequently worked on the Manhattan project and later became President of Washington University in St. Louis, even as his brother Karl became president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and his other brother Wilson became President of Washington State University.

As it happens, the fourth Compton sibling Mary (widely viewed as the most brilliant of the four Compton children) married Forman Psychology Professor C. Herbert Rice who became Principal of Forman Christian College; it was this connection that ultimately brought Arthur Compton to Lahore where he taught for one year as a Guggenheim Fellow (1926-1927) at both Forman Christian College and Government College. After Pakistan’s independence, Compton visited Lahore (and presumably also Forman) at least twice, suggesting that his associations with Forman lasted several decades.

Campus Update June 2024: Center for Learning and Teaching

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Written by by Dr. Jonathan Addleton – FCCU Rector

I joined with others from Forman’s Center for Learning and Teaching (CLT) to celebrate the numerous CLT programs organized during 2023 as well as to honor the various experts who made these training sessions possible. While many of the 3,200 people who participated in CLT programs last year were from Forman, CLT also reached out via Zoom to individuals from 85 universities spread across Pakistan and another 20 institutions of higher learning situated outside the country.

Also, CLT secured its first international research grant, having been awarded funding for a 12-month project on diversity, equity and inclusion from the Professional and Organizational Development in Higher Education.

In addition, CLT organized an online course titled Shaping the Future of Education: AI Across Campus, starting with an initial webinar titled Demystifying AI for Educators on May 13 that attracted more than 1,000 registrations from across Pakistan and beyond. Several international speakers from Egypt, Armenia, Malaysia, Australia and the UK participated via Zoom.

UK-based AI expert Ali Chaudhry led an on-line session on AI: Charting through Ethical Dilemmas, Equity and More, a talk that in this case attracted more than 1,200 registrations from around the world. Yet another AI-related webinar was organized by CLT during May, this one titled Crafting Effective Prompts and led by AI expert Danny Liu calling in from the University of Sydney in Australia.

Looking ahead, some readers of this newsletter may wish to enroll in CLT’s free online course on Research Methodology. Consisting of 20 separate webinars, the course is scheduled to commence on June 3. Please note that there is a single registration for all sessions: Registration Form.

Finally, I am pleased to note that Dr. Mehwish Raza has been appointed Deputy Head of CLT. A member of the FCCU community since 2019, she served as Dean of the Faculty of Education from 2020 until early 2023, after which she was a Fulbright Scholar at Arizona State University where she developed a framework for advancing digital competency for faculty in higher education.