KARACHI — April 2026 — Iqra University proudly represented Pakistan joining global higher education leaders at the Eurasia Higher Education Summit 2026 in Istanbul, Turkiye, engaging with universities from over 60 countries to expand academic partnerships, research collaboration, and student mobility initiatives. The summit provided a strategic platform for institutions worldwide to strengthen international education networks and explore new pathways for cross-regional cooperation.
Recognized as one of the world’s leading platforms for international higher education engagement, the summit brought together representatives from 61 countries and more than 380 universities, creating a dynamic environment for dialogue, partnerships, and knowledge exchange.
Pakistan’s presence at the summit as Pakistan Pavillion included a high-level academic delegation representing universities from across the country coordinated under the platform of the Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan. Among them, Iqra University emerged as one of the prominent institutions participating from the province of Sindh, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening international academic engagement and expanding global opportunities for its students and faculty.
Key Highlights from Iqra University at EURIE 2026
- Participation in one of the world’s leading higher education summits
- Strategic networking with universities across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East
- Engagement in the Arab–Eurasian Higher Education Corridor dialogue
- Academic thought leadership sessions on global student mobility
- Strengthening partnerships with institutions in Uzbekistan
- Interaction with Iqra University exchange ambassadors studying in Türkiye
A Vision of Accessible and Global Education
The delegation from Iqra University was led by Mr. Naveed Lakhani, Chairman of Iqra University, whose leadership continues to shape the university’s international outlook and institutional growth. Mr. Lakhani also serves as the General Secretary of the Karachi Chapter of the Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan (APSUP), playing an important role in fostering collaboration among Pakistan’s private universities.
He was joined by Dr. Noman Ahsan, Director General of Coordination & CIEC, Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC), Muhammad Zubair, Campus Director – Iqra University M9 Campus Karachi, and Humaira Anwar, Head of Internationalization, Sustainability & Strategic Planning, Iqra University, forming a delegation that represented both institutional leadership and strategic international engagement.
From its beginnings as a single campus built on the belief that higher education should be accessible to all, Iqra University has grown into one of Pakistan’s most dynamic multi-campus institutions, now operating across eight campuses in three cities and serving more than 25,000 students with a global alumni network of over 65,000 graduates.
The university currently offers more than 60 academic programs across faculties including Business, Law, Computer Science, Engineering, Health Sciences, Media, Arts & Design, and Social Sciences. Its mission has consistently focused on making education affordable, inclusive, and globally relevant, ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds have access to international opportunities and academic advancement.
In recent years, Iqra University has further strengthened its global standing. The university debuted in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings within the 800–1000 band, placing it among the top universities internationally and 10th in Pakistan. It has also been consistently recognized among the country’s leading institutions for sustainability by global ranking platforms such as QS Sustainability Rankings and UI GreenMetric.
For Iqra University, such recognition is not viewed as an endpoint but rather as a milestone in an ongoing journey toward academic excellence and meaningful global engagement.
The Growing Importance of Global Student Mobility
International student mobility continues to reshape higher education worldwide. According to UNESCO, more than 6.9 million students are currently studying outside their home countries, a number expected to exceed 10 million by 2030. This rapid expansion reflects the growing importance of cross-border education, academic collaboration, and international exposure for students in an increasingly interconnected world.
Against this global backdrop, universities are actively building partnerships that enable students and faculty to exchange knowledge, experiences, and perspectives across borders.
Strategic Networking and Global Partnerships
At EURIE 2026, the Iqra University delegation actively engaged with universities, policymakers, and international education leaders from across the world. The university’s space at the pavilion quickly became a hub of vibrant activity, attracting visitors and institutional representatives from Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Romania, France, Spain, and Germany, among others.
These interactions provided valuable opportunities to strengthen existing collaborations while exploring new academic partnerships in areas including student mobility, faculty exchanges, joint research initiatives, and transnational education pathways.
Through these engagements, Iqra University reaffirmed its commitment to building bridges between Pakistan and the global academic community, particularly across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Participating in the Arab–Eurasian Higher Education Corridor Dialogue
As part of the summit’s high-level discussions, Iqra University also participated in the Arab–Eurasian Higher Education Corridor Dialogue, a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening interregional cooperation among universities and academic organizations.
The forum was led by Erol Özvar of the Council of Higher Education of Türkiye and co-led by Amr Ezzat Salama of the Association of Arab Universities.
A key message of the dialogue surrounds universities across Eurasia, the Arab world, and the Asia-Pacific enhancing their capacity to build their own strong academic ecosystem—one where we collaborate, conduct research, and create mobility opportunities on our own terms.
Representing Iqra University in this dialogue, Humaira Anwar reflected on the central theme of the discussion: the need for universities across Eurasia, the Arab region, and the Asia-Pacific to build stronger collaboration among themselves—creating shared opportunities for research funding, academic partnerships, and student and faculty mobility without relying solely on traditional European academic corridors.
Ms. Anwar shared the vision of President and Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Nassar Ikram, in the dialogue who strongly believes that internationalization should be about openness and access. She added;
“At Iqra University, we are already putting this vision into practice by offering tuition‑free semester extendable upto a year exchange opportunities for students and faculty. We welcome scholars from around the world and fully support them in settling in their exchange period, so that financial barriers do not stand in the way of academic collaboration. For us, international partnerships are not just agreements on paper—they are about creating real opportunities for people to learn from each other.”
She explained that these initiatives reflect Iqra University’s broader commitment to building meaningful academic partnerships and expanding mobility opportunities that connect Pakistan with emerging global education networks.
Currently, the Iqra university welcomes scholars and students from countries including Indonesia, Rwanda, Türkiye, Malaysia, Niger, and South Africa, supporting them through accommodation assistance and academic integration programs while also enabling Iqra students to gain global exposure through outbound exchanges.
These initiatives align with the broader vision of Prof. Dr. Nassar Ikram, whose leadership has emphasized strengthening international academic partnerships and positioning Iqra University as a gateway for cross-regional educational collaboration.
Alumni Success and Strengthening Regional Academic Connections
Another proud moment for the university during the summit was its engagement with the Uzbekistan delegation, which was led by Muhammed Raheel, a graduate of Iqra University (Class of 2013, Advertising).
Raheel now leads NICHE Education Group, an international education consultancy and events organization operating in Türkiye and Uzbekistan. His organization serves as an official representative facilitating academic engagement between institutions.
The Uzbekistan delegation included representatives from both universities and key public pedagogical institutions responsible for curriculum development, research, and teacher training in Uzbekistan. The delegation featured Sharq University, led by Rector Mr. Sherzod Atamuradov, and Kimyo International University in Tashkent, represented by Mirsaid Islamov and Khurshidabonu Muminova (International & Academics).
In addition, the delegation included two important public institutions focused on pedagogical research and teacher training in early childhood education: Toshkent viloyati Pedagogik mahorat markazi, led by Director Mr. Kamuratov Timur Nagmetullayevich, and Namangan viloyati pedagogik mahorat markazi, led by Director Mr. Aziboev Shukhrat.
Iqra University has signed goodwill agreements with all four institutions. During discussions at EURIE, these partners expressed strong interest in collaborating with Iqra University on initiatives focused on pedagogy training, curriculum development, research collaboration, and academic exchange programs.
The Uzbek representatives also extended an invitation for Iqra University to support teacher training initiatives in Uzbekistan, particularly in the areas of modern pedagogy and curriculum innovation. Plans were further discussed to organize a future delegation of Pakistani education leaders to Uzbekistan to deepen these academic partnerships and expand collaborative opportunities.
Academic Thought Leadership at EURIE
Iqra University’s participation extended beyond networking into active intellectual contribution through two academic sessions at the summit.
Academic Thought Leadership | Speaker Session
Networking the World for Global Student Mobility — Insights from Iqra University
Session led by: Humaira Anwar, Head of Internationalization, Sustainability & Strategic Planning
During the session, she highlighted the role of universities in creating inclusive mobility ecosystems and expanding access to international education for students from diverse backgrounds.
“My own first journey abroad taught me that education becomes most powerful when people from different cultures sit together and learn from one another. International mobility changed my life long before it became my professional mission. Sitting across a table from students from other parts of the world teaches lessons no textbook ever can. But today, the landscape of mobility is shifting — geopolitics, economic pressures, and new academic hubs are reshaping how students move across borders. For universities, the challenge is no longer simply sending students abroad; it is building networks that make global learning resilient, inclusive, and accessible. At Iqra University, we see our role as building those bridges, especially across the emerging academic corridors of Asia, the Arab world, and Eurasia.”
Academic Thought Leadership | Speaker Session
Showcasing Pakistan’s Academic Landscape at ‘Around the World with EURIE: Pakistan’
Session led by: Dr. Muhammad Zubair, Campus Director – Iqra University M9 Campus
The session presented Pakistan’s evolving higher education landscape and highlighted the growing role of universities in advancing innovation, research, and global collaboration.
Celebrating the Global Iqra Community
A particularly memorable aspect of the summit was the engagement with Iqra University’s exchange ambassadors currently studying across different cities of Türkiye.
These students visited the Iqra University pavilion during the summit, actively supporting the delegation in managing the booth, facilitating conversations with visitors, and representing the university with pride and enthusiasm.
In appreciation of their dedication and support, the delegation hosted a special dinner for the students on the final evening of the summit—celebrating their achievements and recognizing their role as global representatives of the university community.
Their presence reflected the spirit of Iqra University’s internationalization efforts: empowering students not only to study abroad but also to become ambassadors of Pakistan’s educational values and cultural identity.
Strengthening Pakistan’s Global Academic Presence
Iqra University extends its sincere appreciation to the Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan (APSUP) for bringing together such a strong national delegation and providing Pakistani universities with an influential platform to engage with the global academic community.
The university also acknowledges the visionary leadership of Chaudhry Abdul Rehman and Sumaira Rehman, whose dedication to strengthening higher education and international collaboration continues to inspire institutions across Pakistan.
As global education continues to evolve, Iqra University remains committed to expanding international partnerships, fostering academic innovation, and creating opportunities that connect Pakistani talent with the world.
Its participation at EURIE 2026 represents not only a milestone in international engagement but also a reaffirmation of the university’s belief that education—when accessible, inclusive, and globally connected—has the power to transform lives and societies.
