Participants in the activities of the 5th Vice Chancellor’s (VC) Forum of Universities of the Islamic World, organized by the Higher Education Commission in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, in partnership with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), COMSATS University and the British Council in Pakistan recommended that universities should keep pace with the technological revolution and transform from traditional universities into modern universities, by adopting modern curricula that keep pace with changes, promote online education and support creativity through building students’ capacities in the field of information and communication technology, as well as providing opportunities for sharing experiences in academic circles.

The Forum concluded its activities on March 20, 2023, with the attendance of Dr. Ahsan Iqbal, Minister of Planning and Development of Pakistan, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General (DG) of ICESCO, and several vice-chancellors and higher education officials from the Islamic world and beyond.

In his concluding address at the Forum, ICESCO DG stressed the importance of cooperation between universities and the need for according special attention to developing youth’s creative capacities, training them in the skills necessary for the professions and jobs of tomorrow and other fields related to the challenges and changes that they may face in the future.

He referred to the role that universities play in contributing to the achievement of social, economic and educational development, by disseminating knowledge among young generations and training them in leadership to become future leaders and bring about the desired change in their societies.

In conclusion, Dr. AlMalik presented the ICESCO shield to Dr. Ahsan Iqbal and Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Pakistani Higher Education Commission, in recognition of their efforts in the field of education, research and science.

The two-day Forum’s sessions and workshops, under the theme “Towards Disruptive Technology in a Globalized World,” discussed several issues about the future of education in the countries of the Islamic world, mainly the use of modern technologies in universities to keep pace with the technical revolution and new student trends, as well as the consequent development of curricula.