We are delighted to share that the International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence (AI): Bridging Language, Literature, and Learning in the Digital Age, organized by the Department of English, Forman Christian College (A Chartered University), successfully took place on January 31, 2025.

This symposium explored the transformative role of AI in reshaping traditional paradigms in language, literature, and education. It aimed to foster interdisciplinary dialogue by bridging archival traditions with AI-driven innovations, redefining pedagogical approaches, and contributing to sustainable development in humanities research.

Forman’s School of Management hosted a well received workshop on “Leading With Inclusion” on January 8. Organized by School of Management Assistant Professor Dr. Afaf Khalid, the program included talks delivered by Dr. Faisal Khosa, a radiologist visiting from British Columbia who is actively engaged with diversity issues in Canada.

With ORIC support, the Sociology Department and Sociology Society organized a Departmental Thesis Display in early January featuring the outstanding work of both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Forman’s Chemistry Department organized Forman’s Fourth Annual Chemistry Conference, an impressive event that received funding from several sources including the HEC and involved presenters from Mexico, Malaysia, the US and elsewhere. Thanks especially to Department Chair Dr. Shazma Massey Azeem and her team for organizing such an impressive event.

Forman’s English Department hosted a webinar titled Digital Humanities for Literature and Linguistics, presented by Dr. Emily Bell from Leeds University (UK). In addition, Forman’s English Department organized a Postgraduate Colloquium on Literature, Film and Art; special thanks to Dr. Amna Umer Cheema from the Institute of English Studies at the University of Punjab for participating as Guest of Honor.

Forman’s English Department also organized an international symposium and exhibition on Artificial Intelligence (AI): Bridging Language, Literature and Learning in the Digital Age. Designed to benefit both faculty and students, the program featured several speakers providing insights that will hopefully “inspire our Forman community and contribute to our critical perspectives on how these digital intersections with the emerging technology landscape advancements are reshaping the literary and linguistic landscape of the country”.

Forman’s Computer Science Department organized a special exhibition held on January 13 to showcase 17 senior student projects. Invited guests from various IT companies including Devsinc, Arbisoft, Venturenox, Aircod, and Prexite also attended as students competed in two prize categories, Best Poster Award and Best Project Award.

The Best Project prize was awarded to Hassan Adil, Shaharez Malik and Faizan Imtiaz for their project FallX: Airbag Safety Vest for Vulnerable Individuals, with Dr. Sidra Minhas and M. Rauf Butt serving as Advisors. As for the Best Poster Award, it was secured by Shaeen Amir, Maryam Iqtidar and Asama Ayub for their project RealTime Monitoring of Electrolyte Imbalance Using ECG Signals, advised by Dr. M. Rauf Butt.

Associate Professor Syeda Shabbir reports that Forman has received partial HEC funding to organize a Third Conference on Recent Trends in Physics later this month, adding further to a growing list of special academic events that Forman will host during the early months of 2025.

Finally, Forman hosted a two-day workshop sponsored by the American Institute of Pakistan Studies (AIPS) on “Heritage and Technology” on January 15-16. Featuring Dr. Uzma Rizvi from the Pratt Institute in New York, the event included participants from across Pakistan. A special thanks to Dr. Sikandar Hayat for his leadership role, both in this event and in strengthening our ongoing partnership with AIPS.

Forman Christian College: Scholarships Needs Now

Forman estimates it needs $1,566,667 in scholarships to fund the financially disadvantaged students who are enrolled this year. The largest groups of students in need are women and Christians.

They have budgeted $548,333 to go to underprivileged women and $658,000 to needy Christians (31% of all female students and 98% of all Christians at FCCU).  Last year, scholarships went to 27% of the student body. Between the increase in students this year over last and a continued slow recovery to the financial crisis sparked by Covid, 33% of FCCU students need assistance this year. Imagine if a third of the students had to drop out because they couldn’t afford tuition and fees, and there was no one to help them.

Friends of Forman has committed to raise $721,000 of this need. To date, you have helped raise all but $325,000.

We are immensely grateful for your gifts to date. If you are able and can support these students, go to www.friendsofforman.org/donate and scroll to the dark green section of this page. Here, you can donate to the group of your choice, women, Christians, or general scholarships.

“Your help is more than just money; it’s like a guiding light that

shows us the way when things get tough. Because of you, we feel stronger and more confident. We know that behind every success, there’s a group of caring people like you who believe in education’s power to change lives.”    ~  Arslan

As Arslan said, you make his success possible.  It is an honor to work with you to change the lives of these young men and women. “By love serve one another.”

Thank you!

Promotion Assembly

The Promotion Assembly for the academic year 2024 was a heartwarming and memorable event held in the school courtyard. Students from Kindergarten to Grade 9 gathered together, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation for what lay ahead.

The principal addressed the students with encouraging words, acknowledging their hard work, dedication, and growth throughout the year. In a moment filled with excitement, the principal officially announced the promotion of each grade, signaling the students to move forward to their next classes.

As students stood up and moved forward to their new classes, the courtyard echoed with applause and cheers, marking the start of a new chapter in their academic journey. It was a proud and joyful moment for everyone, filled with hope and anticipation for the opportunities that await in the coming year.

Grandparents Day

At Light of Hope School, we celebrated Grandparents Day on September 22, 2023, with the students and their grandparents from Pre-K, KG, and Grade 1. This special day honors the cherished bond between grandparents and their grandchildren. After all, grandparents, alongside parents, love their grandchildren unconditionally. The event was a heartwarming gathering, bringing together grandparents and their

grandchildren for a memorable celebration. Our esteemed chief guests for the event were Dr. Jonathan Addleton, the honorable Rector of FCCU, his wife Madam Fiona, Dr. Martin Thomas, the Dean of Education, and Madam Dolly, in charge of the information desk at FCCU. Their presence added grace and warmth to the occasion.

Reading Awareness Month

Books are a source of knowledge and life lessons, teaching us about love, fear, hardships, and the complexities of life.

To celebrate the power of reading, Light of Hope School kicked off its Reading Awareness Month with students and teachers presenting story characters in the morning assembly. Various reading-related activities were held in the classrooms, where students engaged in storytelling, book discussions, and creative exercises. To cap it off, students dressed up as their favorite characters from the stories they read and showcased them in a special assembly. English and Urdu reading presentations highlighted the joy and importance of reading.

Teachers’ Day

On September 5th, we celebrated Teachers’ Day, honoring the dedication and hard work of our educators. A special assembly was held where teachers were presented with badges and chocolates by the principal as a token of appreciation. Students expressed their gratitude through heartfelt messages, poems, and thoughtful gifts. The day highlighted the invaluable contributions teachers make in shaping young minds and fostering a love for learning. It was a joyous occasion filled with appreciation and respect for those who guide and inspire us every day.

Christmas Caroling

This year, Light of Hope School brought a fresh twist to its annual Christmas celebrations. Instead of the traditional Christmas play, students lit up the stage with a heartwarming Christmas Caroling event. Students performed to live carols sung by the School Choir and the Alumni Choir, creating a festive and melodious atmosphere.

One of the standout moments was the creative commercials performed on stage, which added a fun and playful vibe to the event. The festive question-and-answer session kept the audience engaged, with exciting gifts handed out for correct answers. The celebration was a joyful blend of music, creativity, and togetherness, leaving everyone with warm holiday memories.

Friends and Forman Visit to LOH

In February 2024, the Friends of Forman visited Light of Hope School and were warmly welcomed by students and staff. They attended the morning assembly, where students presented an inspiring performance. The Friends of Forman spent quality time in the classrooms afterward, engaging with the students and taking home wonderful memories of their visit.

This is from the Light of Hope Newsletter 2023-24.

Since being established in 2003, Friends of Forman has gradually made an increasing impact on the educational power provided by Forman Christian College in Pakistan. With 2024 complete, we wanted to celebrate some of the milestones we’ve accomplished together.

1,300 Graduates at Commencement

On November 30, 2024, FCCU held their 26th Commencement ceremony on campus. The graduation featured nearly 1,300 graduates from across Pakistan, earning a range of degrees.

More than half (51%) of this graduating class was women. 664 female students earned their diplomas at FCCU—an amazing feat considering approximately only 44% of the female Pakistani population is literate. 

186 women earned their post-graduate degrees in one of many of FCCU’s graduate programs. 158 (or 12%) of the graduates were also Christian students. This is remarkable because Christians only comprise about 1.3% of the Pakistani population.

Many female and Christian students could only attend and graduate from FCCU because they earned a financial aid scholarship. 

 $1.5 Million in Scholarships

Thanks to supporters like you, Friends of Forman awarded over $1,532,000 in scholarships during the 2023-24 academic year. That’s over half (51%) of the scholarships provided to FCCU students, and a 28% increase compared to the previous year.

Nearly all (98%) of Christian students at Forman College receive at least a partial scholarship—that’s 911 out of 925 students.

This number is slightly lower for women scholars, but still almost a third (31%) of them depend on financial aid. 832 out of 2,703 female FCCU students benefit from donations from Friends of Forman.

Over 9,000 Enrolled Students 

44% of Forman College’s 9,300 student body is female. However, this percentage is much higher in the postgraduate (74%) and PhD (61%) programs. Women can pursue an education at FCCU like nowhere else in this country.

The same is true for Christian students, who comprise about 13% of the students on campus. They’re still a minority compared to Muslim students, but students of all faiths have the chance to learn and converse together side-by-side in an atmosphere of peace and cooperation.

$2.6 Million Raised

 All together, Friends of Forman raised over $2,634,000 in 2024. Most of those funds (78%) go directly to supporting scholarships, campus improvements, and staff support on campus. 

The largest source of support for Friends is individuals (58%), with most of the rest of the donations coming from foundation grants (20%) and churches (11%). We had 23 new donors give to Friends of Forman for the first time last year.

 We also raised $98,000 during Giving Tuesday in November 2024. That helped to provide year-long scholarships to more than 30 students—all in one day!

Thank You For Making 2024 a Success!

If you haven’t yet, you should check out our 2024 annual report, which shares even more stories of impact from the last year.

You can also read stories of Stephen John whose family has been impacted by FCCU for four generations; board member Denise Moore who visited the FCCU campus in 2024; and student Multazim who is overcoming poverty to pursue a her dreams of becoming a doctor.

No matter how you’re involved with Friends of Forman, we want to thank you for your support and generosity. You are making a difference by being a part of our community. You’re having a real impact on the lives of students and spreading interfaith harmony in Pakistan.

Thank you!

Forman’s Geography Department celebrated its 100th Anniversary during late November and early December under the tagline “Mapping the Century.” Special events included a series of lectures, starting on November 27 with a timely talk on the impact of air pollution and ways to mitigate it. Subsequent lectures featured Ms. Javeria Qais on SDGs and Climate Change and Dr. Samawia Rizwan on Disaster Management.

The series concluded on December 9 with an international discussion titled Geography: Past, Present, and Future organized by Department Chair Dr. Khadija and Ms. Hafsa, among others. This centennial event featured Dr. Safdar Ali Shirazi (former Director of the Institute of Geography at the University of Punjab) as the keynote speaker and included participation from Dr. Salman Qureshi (Humboldt University), Dr. Shakeel Mehmood (Government College University), and Dr. Sahar Zia (Lahore College for Women University). As one participant noted, “The celebration also featured heartfelt student testimonials, with alumni sharing personal stories of how their experience in the Geography Department had shaped their academic and professional paths.”

As part of its continuing Writer’s Lounge series, Forman’s English Department hosted Dr. Shahid Siddique for a talk on December 13 titled Language, Gender, and Power: The Politics of Representation. Currently the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Lahore School of Economics, Dr. Siddique studied in both Canada and the UK and previously served as Vice Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University. A prolific author, his books include Language, Gender, and Power and Hegemony and Education Policies in Pakistan, both published by Oxford University Press. He has also published literary works in Urdu, Punjabi, and Pushto.

Other events included a Flavors of the Language program on December 11 and a Christmas gathering for Christian faculty on December 12. Additionally, Dr. Fatima Syeda and Dr. Faiza Zaheer attended a panel discussion on the recent book Transcultural Humanities in South Asia by Dr. Waseem Anwar and Ms. Nosheen Yusaf at Government College University (Lahore).

Finally, English MPhil students enrolled in South Asian Literature and Transcultural Literature organized A Seminar on Monstrosities Across Diverse Cultures, an innovative teaching tool supervised by course instructors Ms. Sadiqa Maqbool and Dr. Subbah Mir. Participants came dressed as “monstrosities” from various backgrounds—an event where a single photograph likely tells the story best!

Speaking of innovative teaching approaches, I appreciated a note from Adeel Khalid, a lecturer in our English Department, who mentioned that he, along with Alvina Wasim, led a field trip involving Linguistics students to the National History Museum and the Walled City of Lahore as part of their coursework related to Critical Discourse Analysis and Digital Humanities. In addition to experiencing the rich linguistic diversity of Pakistan, students were introduced to folk tales of the Indus Valley Civilization and oral histories recalling partition and the establishment of Pakistan in 1947.

Also, Dr. Ayra Indrias Patras joined with Dr. Abeeda from the Political Science Department in accompanying 40 students taking her course on Pakistan’s National Government to the Punjab National Assembly. Thanks especially to Punjab Assembly Member Salma Butt who helped obtain the permissions required for this field trip.

From the January 2025 Rector’s Update

Forman’s Mass Communication Department hosted the prestigious International Communication Association (ICA) regional conference on December 5-6, bringing media studies scholars together for critical discussion on Climate and Communication. A special shoutout to Dr. Firasat Jabeen who played such a critical role in bringing the ICA conference to the Forman campus. For my part, I took a personal interest in the event, partly because two of the participants came from my alma mater, Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Forman’s Religious Studies Department joined with Kellogg College, the Asian Studies Center at Oxford University and the Information Technology University (ITU) in Lahore to host the first day of a three-day international conference on Christianity and Christians in Pakistan. Dr. Yaqoob Bangash who previously taught at Forman and is now on the faculty of ITU played a key role in organizing the event which opened at Forman on December 10 and closed at ITU on December 12. Religious Studies Chair Dr. Hafiz Ghani also coordinated closely with Dr. Bangash to organize the Forman portion of the conference.

The opening day program, convened by Forman graduate Abraham Murad from Oxford and moderated in part by Dr. Atiq-ur-Rehman from Forman, included the keynote address delivered by Cardinal Joseph Coutts, Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Karachi. Subsequent sessions covered themes ranging from Christian Identity to Christians in Education. Other highlights included a presentation by French researcher Dr. Paul Rollier on A Life Among Muslims: Christian Identity and Religious Difference in Lahore and an illuminating conversation on the legacy of “Pakistan’s Christian Chief Justice A.R. Cornelius” between Dr. Bangash and Jawwad S. Khawaja, Pakistan’s 23rd Chief Justice.

Parenthetically, as with many of our recent events, this conference garnered local media attention, including in Dawn (https://www.dawn.com/news/1877961) and The News (https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1260337-multi-layered-role-of-christians-in-pakistan-highlighted).

Finally, Forman’s Sociology Department, in partnership with the Forman Sociology Society, organized the Sixth Conference on Marginalized Populations on December 11. This year’s themes included the marginalization of females in the education sector, climate change, health and safety, and the marginalization of ethnic and religious minorities. Researchers from leading area institutions, including the University of Punjab, University of Management and Technology (UMT), Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), University of Home Economics, University of Sargodha, and the National College of Arts (NCA), delivered papers.

A special thanks to Dr. Sara Rizvi Jafree (Conference Chair) and Ms. Sana Shahid for their leadership and support in making this conference possible. Those interested in further information should contact the Sociology Department, which produced an excellent “Book of Abstracts” summarizing the contents of each paper delivered. Both “hard” and “soft” copies of the report should be available.

From the January 2025 Rector’s Update

One major highlight of a crowded Christmas season was the Third Annual Christmas Gala, held on December 6 and featuring 38 students from the Forman College Choir, under the direction of Miss Joy, performing fourteen carols in multiple languages (including English, Urdu, Punjabi, Dutch, Spanish, Korean, and Latin), all based on the theme Light of the World. Once again, the well-decorated Sinclair Hall was fully packed and included a number of high-profile guests from Lahore area schools, colleges, convents, and churches. Several Forman board members attended, along with the head of Public Affairs from the US Consulate.

Another highlight was the Christmas Celebration arranged by Forman’s Advancement and Alumni Office on December 12 in the Jim Tebbe Campus Center, bringing together alumni, faculty, staff, and special guests to celebrate the season. Bob Wetmore provided a thoughtful reflection on Advent, while Bishop Irfan Jamil served as Chief Guest. Carols, a Christmas Quiz, and remarks by Chief Marketing and Outreach Officer Ms. Badia Raza helped round out a wonderful evening.

A third highlight was the annual Christmas Party and Annual Alumni Reunion hosted by Forman’s Center for Public Policy and Governance (CPPG) on December 17. Held at night under the stars at the CPPG Resource Center lawn, the evening included carols, nostalgic reflections, interesting conversations, alumni awards, and a Christmas cake cutting ceremony. In addition, we welcomed CG Kristin Hawkins from the US Consulate to this occasion.

Yet another highlight was the Christmas Fest and Carol Singing organized by the Student Affairs Office outside the Jim Tebbe Campus Center, providing “an unforgettable day with excitement and entertainment” that also included an amazing sound and light show, described as a “first” for Forman. For my part, I have to acknowledge that the effect of the colors and the beams of light coming from the Campus Center were astonishing!

Thanks also to the Student Affairs Office for organizing Forman’s Christmas Sports Fest 2024 on December 17, bringing together students, faculty, staff, and their families for a variety of events, including running races, tug of war, and musical chairs.

Several local service organizations set up stalls on the Forman campus during the Christmas season, providing students, faculty, and staff with opportunities to purchase a wide range of handmade items, many related to the Christmas season. Examples include the Emmanuel Center, Help for the Helpless, and the women’s stitchery initiative associated with the TSA/FCCU partnership.

Numerous offices and departments celebrated this year’s festive season in a variety of ways, both large and small. I appreciated attending some, but by no means all of them, experiencing something of the vibrancy of a month that witnessed a long list of wonderful events, including the Christmas gathering organized by the Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics; similar celebrations hosted by the Physics Department, English Department, and Faculty of Education, the latter featuring a Kris Kindle celebration that included a Secret Santa gift exchange; and the Carol Service arranged by Forman’s Christian Life program: (https://youtu.be/_YNLKl_3rsM).

It was also my privilege to witness the Light of Hope Secret Santa gift-giving program arranged by the Forman Rotaract Society following the advice of Chief Information Officer Anthony Richards, an active Rotarian who arranged additonal assistance from his own Rotary Club. In addition, I was asked to distribute medals and certificates to several Light of Hope students who demonstrated excellence during a recent SMETA Visual Art Olympiad (SMETA is an acronym for Science, Maths, English, Technology and Art).

This year’s SMETA Visual Art Olympiad encouraged participants to bring beloved classics of English literature to life through art, in turn becoming the catalyst for artistic contributions based on iconic works such as Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland and The Chronicles of Narnia. Anaya Zaheer (Grade 10) won a Gold Medal for her outstanding artistic expression while Dua George (Grade 10) received a Bronze medal. Many other Light of Hope students of all ages also received Certificates of Merit and Appreciation for their work.

From the January 2025 Rector’s Update

Annual FCCU Christmas Celebration

On December 12, 2024, the Advancement and Alumni Office arranged The Christmas Celebration. It was a heartwarming and joyous occasion, bringing together alumni, faculty, staff and special guests to celebrate the spirit of the season.

The event began with a thoughtful reading from the Holy Bible, setting a reverent tone for the evening. The Advent Candles were lit, inviting blessings for the festive season and the year ahead, during which Dr. Robert Wetmore explained the significance of all of them.

The performers graced the occasion with beautiful carols, filling the room with festive cheer. Their soulful renditions set the stage for the Christmas message and blessings from the Chief Guest, Rt. Revd. Irfan Jamil.

The Rector, Dr. Jonathan S. Addleton, also addressed the gathering, offering his warm remarks and encouraging everyone to embrace the spirit of giving, kindness, and unity that defines Christmas.

A highlight of the event was the cake-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the shared joy of the occasion. The alumni once again delighted the attendees with more carols, adding to the festive atmosphere.

The Christmas Quiz engaged everyone, testing their knowledge of the holiday’s traditions and history, followed by remarks from Mrs. Badia Raza, CM&OO, who shared her thoughts on the importance of community and celebration during the festive season.

The Marketing and Outreach team delivered a stunning choral performance, leaving the guests with a sense of wonder and delight. The event concluded with dinner and networking, where attendees shared stories, laughter, and good cheer, creating lasting memories and strengthening the bonds within the Forman community.

It was truly an evening of warmth, unity, and celebration – reflecting the true essence of Christmas.

---

Christianity and Christians in Pakistan Conference

The International Conference “Christianity and Christians in Pakistan” commenced on December 10, 2024, at Forman Christian College (A Chartered University) in Lahore. This prestigious event, collaboratively organized by the Department of Religious Studies, Forman Christian College, Kellogg College, the University of Oxford, the Asian Studies Centre, Afkar-e-Taza ThinkFest, and Information Technology University (ITU), brought together a distinguished group of scholars, practitioners, and leaders. Convened by Mr. Abraham Murad (Kellogg College, University of Oxford), Dr. Yaqoob Khan Bangash (ITU), and Dr. Atiq-ur-Rehman (Forman Christian College) who moderated the first day of the conference as well, the conference set a vibrant tone on its first day, offering a mix of compelling speeches, thought-provoking panels, and rich academic presentations.

The day began with a warm welcome from Dr. H. A. Ghani, Head of the Department of Religious Studies at Forman Christian College. Mr. Abraham Murad from Kellogg College, University of Oxford, then introduced the overarching themes and objectives of the conference.

The keynote address was delivered by His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Coutts, Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Karachi. Cardinal Coutts reflected on the notions of unity and Pakistani identity, including how these relate to the experience of Christians in the country from its beginnings until the present day.

Dr. Jonathan Addleton, Rector of Forman Christian College, followed with an inspiring account of the university’s history and its enduring contributions to society and academia in Pakistan and beyond. His remarks celebrated the institution’s pivotal role in shaping generations of scholars and leaders.

A dynamic panel discussion on “Christians and Education in Pakistan” was chaired by Dr. Keneth Pervaiz of Forman Christian College. The panel featured distinguished experts: Dr. Farhana Nazir (Christian Study Centre, Rawalpindi), Dr. Saleem Younas (Gujranwala Theological Seminary), Dr. ShanthiKumar Hettiarachchi (Minhaj University), Mr. Asher Javed (National Catholic Education Commission Pakistan), and Dr. Asher Johnson Khokhar (Forman Christian College). Together, they delved into the current state of education for Christians and Christian institutions, offering valuable insights and forward-looking strategies.

After lunch, the Honourable Mr. Justice (Retired) Jawwad S. Khawaja, Pakistan’s 23rd Chief Justice, engaged in an illuminating conversation with Dr. Yaqoob Khan Bangash, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at ITU. This session, titled “Pakistan’s Christian Chief Justice A. R. Cornelius: The Life and Legacy of a ‘Constitutional Muslim,'” celebrated the legacy of Chief Justice Cornelius, highlighting his contributions to constitutional law and his unique role in Pakistan’s history. The conversation included both personal and professional insights, emphasizing the enduring relevance of the Chief Justice’s character and life’s work.

The afternoon continued with remarks by Dr. Altaf Ullah Khan, Dean of Humanities at Forman Christian College. He synthesized the insights shared throughout the day, paving the way for two captivating academic presentations on Christians in everyday life.

The third session was moderated by Dr. Daniel Lanz of Forman Christian College in which Dr. Paul Rollier (CNRS-EHESS, France) presented a paper titled “A Life among Muslims: Christian Identity and Religious Difference in Lahore.” He focused on the life of a Christian who works as a sweeper in a mosque and lives among Muslim factory workers. Rollier’s portrayal and incisive analysis questioned common assumptions about Christian identity and the Christian community. Dr. Dominic Esler (LUMS) followed with “Christianity, Caste, and the Work of Purification in Pakistan.” This paper offered a rereading on caste research in South Asia, addressing the relation of caste to religion, ethnicity, and purity, and highlighting areas for further research.

The day concluded with reflections from Dr. Robert Wetmore (Forman Christian College), who emphasized the broader societal implications of the discussions and expressed gratitude to the participants for their invaluable contributions.

As the first day drew to a close, conveners, moderators, and presenters were commended for their vision, attention to detail, and ability to ensure a dynamic flow of ideas. Attendees left with a deeper appreciation of the rich history, challenges, and possibilities faced by Christians in Pakistan. The conversations and insights set the stage for further exploration over the next two days, promising a meaningful continuation of this vital dialogue. Both Faculties Islamic Studies as well as Christian Studies participated in it enthusiastically.

A special word of thanks goes to Chief of Staff Eileen Dass and other members of her team, including Sheeza James, for organizing this year’s Christmas Carol event on the top floor of the Jim Tebbe Campus Center, marking the start of the Christmas season at Forman. The event featured a spectacular performance by the Forman choir, introduced by QEC Director Sarah Suleman, which sang traditional carols in both English and Urdu. In addition, there were video reports from across the Forman campus, followed by the simultaneous “switching on of the Christmas lights,” featuring stars, angels, Christmas trees, reindeer, and Santa on his sleigh. December is a special time at Forman, and I look forward to more such events in the coming weeks!

Finally, let me conclude this issue of the Rector’s Update with a “Merry Christmas” to all who celebrate it. As I mention in my annual Christmas message to members of the Forman community, this time of year draws our attention to the love, compassion, and humility of Christ, as expressed in the Gospel of John: “And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.” It also serves as an important reminder to follow in His footsteps, showing love, compassion, and empathy toward others. In that spirit, may this Christmas season bring peace to your hearts, and may the New Year bring blessings to you and your loved ones, along with joy, renewal, and hope.

This is from the monthly Rector’s Update