Reimaging Education for Equity and Ubuntu
9-10 August 2025
Ziauddin University is an integral entity within the Ziauddin Group. It is an HEC-recognised degree-awarding institution that was founded in the memory of Sir Dr. Ziauddin Ahmad, a renowned academician, philosopher, mathematician, and political figure. Aligning with his vision, the University has consistently aimed to empower the youth across the nation with a quality education that meets international standards.
Along with its main campus and five sites in Karachi, the university recently opened a campus in Sukkur and has plans to open more campuses in Islamabad and other cities across the nation. Comprising of 9 faculties, 20 colleges, and 16 departments, Ziauddin University offers a diverse range of degrees across more than 50 educational domains and over 100 specializations. These include Health Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, Liberal Arts & Human Sciences, Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nursing & Midwifery, Eastern Medicine & Natural Sciences, Law, Politics & Governance, Engineering, Science, Technology & Management and countless others.
With this breadth, Ziauddin University has become a full-fledged institution, dedicated to educating Pakistan’s youth and promoting the vision of Sir Dr. Ziauddin Ahmad.Â
Dr. Sharjeel received his professional certifications and an Advanced Diploma from Bradford University and
Cambridge University, UK. He completed his first doctoral degree in Education and second doctoral degree
courses from the Department of Special Education, University of Karachi. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yousuf
Sharjeel earned his teaching license from the Ministry of Education, Abu-Dhabi where he worked as English
Language Teacher. He earned his Bachelor’s, Master’s and M.Phil. degrees in Education from Hamdard
University. He received his three gold medals in all three programmes. He earned his Postdoctoral
specialization in Islamic Entrepreneurship from International Islamic University, Islamabad. His area of
specialization is Quantitative Research, Psychological Testing and Pedagogic Consultancy. His professional
teaching spans over 22 years. He worked and trained in three countries. His professional tenure in Pakistan
comprises working at various HEC-acknowledged universities. He is currently a professor at Ziauddin
University and Director of Postgraduate Studies. He is also the patron-in- Chief of a journal titled Journal of
Educational Management and Social Sciences. He worked and trained public and private university faculty
members on item writing as part of NTS subject specialist as HEC Resource Person for over five years. He has
published 80 research articles in various national and international journals. He has also supervised around 80
M.Phil research theses and 12 PhD theses. Hs specialization is in the field of quantitative research and Testing
and Evaluation. He trained M.Phil. and PhD researchers at Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University in Quetta,
IoBM, Hamdard university, University of the Punjab and Sindh University Jamshoro.
I feel greatly indebted to the Chancellor and the Pro-Chancellor Ziauddin University whose envisioned academic liberty and power delegation has seen this conference as a dream-cum-true. This conference has emerged as an opportunity to evolve unleash the major dominant pedagogic and scholastic force to seek the curricular reforms in the context of decolonization of curriculum. This is indeed an occasion of sharing the much-awaited thoughts under one roof, raise our concerns, and voice as one unity and harmony. It is time we united our bonds and like-mindedness to undo the curriculum that from our systems that consumes not only the energy in non-national and non-productive direction, but also in an undefined social structure. The benefit of education is to develop a strong national cohesive strength and the only way it could be achieved is through decolonized curricular activities from all forms of life. This conference is a dream-cum true in its truly perceived sense and reality. The dogmatic practices discussed, shared and envisioned through this conference are going to make their presence felt soon. I am strongly positive the endeavours in this direction will bear the fruits for the newly energized social constructions of thoughts. The emerging structure of the conference is also expected to bear roots in the national scenario of curriculum development by virtue of unified national undergraduate and postgraduate learnings.Â
Arfa Sayeda Zehra is an eminent professional, public intellectual, educationist, culture expert, gender specialist, human rights activist, and social nationalist. She is the alumna of the Lahore College for Women University; Government College University; and the University of Hawaii, Manoa. Dr Zehra is a professor of history at Forman Christian College University and a former principal of the Lahore College for Women University. She is a recipient of the Fatima Jinnah Award, International Sophist Award, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from East West Center, Hawaii, USA. She has the honour of holding UNESCO Chair, as well as being a Fellow in National College of Arts, Lahore. She received an International Award in Emirates for her contribution towards national literature, language, and culture of Pakistan.
Dr. Panjwani is Dean of the Institute for Educational Development, Aga Khan University, Karachi. In 2012, Dr. Panjwani founded the Centre for the Study of Education in Muslim Societies at the Institute of Education, University College London (UCL). Dedicated to the promotion of sound academic research and scholarship in Muslim contexts, the Centre was the first of its kind in any UK university.
With his academic background in education, religious studies, international development and philosophy, Professor Panjwani has an interdisciplinary approach and has published widely in the areas of philosophy of education, citizenship, teacher education, imagination, religious education, hermeneutics and Islamic Studies.
He is on several editorial and advisory boards and has acted as a consultant to many organizations, including the International Baccalaureate, the Aga Khan Academies and the Government of Punjab. In 2016 Professor Panjwani was appointed as a commissioner on the UK’s national Commission on Religious Education. He has also taught as a visiting lecturer on many IIS programmes and has served as Chairman of the Aga Khan Education Board for the United Kingdom.
Professor Panjwani holds a DPhil in Philosophy of Education from the University of Oxford; an MA in Education and International Development from the Institute of Education, University of London; and an MBA and BBA from the Institute of Business Administration, University of Karachi. He is also an alumnus of the Graduate Programme in Islamic Studies and Humanities at the Institute of Ismaili Studies.
Dr Meher Rizvi is an Associate Professor at AKU-IED. Her key leadership positions include Head, Graduate Programmes; Coordinator, MEd Programme; Faculty Chair; Academic Review Committee Chair; lead for National Curriculum of Pakistan and Member of AKU’s Appointments and Promotions Committee. She obtained a prestigious International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) for her PhD from the Queensland University of Technology, Australia. Her research interests include teacher professional development and professionalism; teacher professionalization and status; curriculum; creative pedagogies; diversity, inclusion, and equity; teachers’ and students’ empowerment and leadership. She has several publications in international journals and books.
Additional Director Registration, School Education & Literacy Department Govt Of Sindh. Ms. Raffia Mallah, Educationist,Ex- Controller, Matriculation Board Karachi, Ex-Deputy Secretary (Boards), Chief Minister Secretariat Sindh, Ex- Registrar private schools, presently working as Additional Director (registration), Provincial Directorate of Inspection & Registration Private Institutions Sindh.
Dr. Bushra Subhan is serving as Assistant Professor in department of Islamic Studies at MY University. She earned her bachelor from Punjab University Lahore, Masters in Islamic Studies from NUMUL University Islamabad, MS in Islamic Studies from International Islamic University Islamabad and PhD from Taxila Institute of Asian Civilization, Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad with area of specialization Comparative Religions at all graduate academic levels.Â
With a strong foundation in Islamic academia, Dr. Allah Ditta serves as an Asst Prof. of Islamic Studies, heading the department at Federal Govt College Multan. His academic credentials include a Post Doc and Ph.D., an L.L.B., and an M.Ed., equipping him with a multidisciplinary perspective. His expertise is evident in his research, which delves into Quranic Studies, Hadith, and Islamic Jurisprudence, consistently aiming to advance and contextualize Islamic scholarship in the modern era.Â
Principal
Intermediate College
Ziauddin Educatuon Sysyem
Principal
School
Ziauddin Educatuon Sysyem
Principal
Administrator
Ziauddin Educatuon Sysyem
Venue-1: Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery
Dr. Aijaz Fatima Auditorium-Ziauddin University
Venue-2: Ziauddin School and College
F-111, North Nazimabad, Karachi
I welcome all researchers and faculty members from various universities and affiliated colleges at the auspicious occasion of first ZU-CHESS National Conference. It is indeed a matter of great pleasure and pride to have two distinguished and renowned national speakers at this conference. Since its inception, Ziauddin University has been organizing such dynamic scholastic events. I am specifically grateful to the team ZU-CHESS who worked hard at the College of Education to hold this academic gala. As Chancellor Ziauddin University, I assure you that the research papers and poster presentations at this conference will certainly catch your attention on the issue of decolonizing the national curriculum at various levels in Pakistan. The University provides an enabling environment for quality research and conferences including the national and international conferences for decades. The flagship programmes of the university make their presence felt at all forums across the country. I also assure you that the experience gained through this research conference on decolonizing curriculum will pave the ways towards easing the journey of developing indigenous thoughts and policies for a cost-effective and more harmonized national curricular integrity. This conference is also creating hopes to ponder over the notion that a lively, effective and proficient research team can bring the change in the desired direction. This conference is also expected to generate teaching, learning, and research-based unified code of conduct in the context of decolonizing. Through its state-of-the-art facilities and renowned, competent faculty members, this conference will endeavour to gather power to augment the necessity of realizing that only decolonized educational experiences can break the shackles of Eurocentrism. I assure you to offer a wealth of study opportunities across a broad range of professional disciplines. I hope your time here at ZU-CHESS will help to lay a foundation on which you can contribute to a better future for yourselves and for future generations.
ZU-CHESS will offer you a variety of opportunities to grow and learn many things through talks, discussions and parallel sessions. I wish you all a happy learning experience so stay prepared to take advantage of the prospects at this conference.
I am indeed glad to know that the College of Education has taken the lead to hold this auspicious national conference on decolonizing curriculum. We hope to train the researchers and curriculum designers to engage in the task of holding the effective and productive conference. We hope to create the plethora of knowledge to enhance the ability of all stakeholders to think critically, and to find creative solutions.Â
It is also imperative to recognize the role of this conference as an effective tool for imparting knowledge. As the Pro-Chancellor, I have aimed to support the professional development of academic and administrative activities to recognize the endeavours of the ZU-CHESS efforts through such conference. This conference can be heard and felt at many levels in the academia. Ziauddin University focus has also been on providing state-of-the-art facilities that guarantee academic excellence. I am sure this conference will aspire to raise Pakistan’s best researchers and practitioners to join hands in the adequacy and relevance of this auspicious conference. ZU-CHECC will certainly raise the academic research standards and quality of pedagogy to create a culture of collegiality. It is also expected that through this conference, the distinguished keynote speakers will gather substantial thoughts to re-think the current practices of curriculum development and implementation. This conference is also an education system within itself. I congratulate the team ZU-CHESS for holding this great conference with such enthusiasm and academic rigor. Â
The unique thought of decolonizing the curriculum is within itself a continued academic journey. The ZU-CHESS conference is a unique blend of the youth and the experienced faculty members towards an exploratory endeavour to evolve the current curricular practices. Â
Prof. Dr. Abbas Zafar, MBBS, FRCS, currently serves as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Ziauddin University while also holding the position of Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences. With over 20 years of dedicated service to the institution, Prof. Dr. Zafar’s academic and administrative journey at Ziauddin University reflects his firm commitment to advancing healthcare education and his vision for academic excellence.
An esteemed ENT specialist, Prof. Dr. Zafar is renowned for his expertise in otolaryngology, with a practice spanning over four decades. His academic background includes a distinguished MBBS degree and FRCS certification with a focus on ENT. Over the years, he has successfully diagnosed, treated, and managed a wide range of complex conditions, including tonsillitis, obstructive sleep apnoea, and other disorders related to the ear, nose, and throat. He has worked in renowned hospitals, delivering patient-centered care with both medicinal and surgical approaches.Â
ZU-CHESS is an excellent endeavour to grasp the essence of educational conference. This conference is an excellent opportunity for the researchers and scholars both within the university and beyond as it is going to set the scholastic standards in the context of decolonized curriculum. Ubuntu as a philosophy is expected to gear the spirit of the culture of collegiality and social cohesion. Ziauddin University represents academic excellence and a strong commitment to innovation, research, and quality education. It consistently fosters knowledge and prepares future leaders to make meaningful contributions to society. The conference is a major step towards awakening a sense of belonging to the indigenous cultural and social heritage with dominant Muslim hegemony. I feel proud that the researchers in the conference will make us proud by excelling in diverse sectors of decolonized education for the country and the allied disciplines upholding the values and vision of the university on a global stage.
My longstanding association with Ziauddin University has strengthened my commitment to advancing its mission. I reckon this conference will enhance my vision and mission equally well fostering research, embracing modern academic practices, and promoting inclusivity. I remain positive and feel that the ZU-CHESS will embark on a journey of pedagogic excellence and innovative research solutions. I remain optimist to empowering young and experience researchers to lead and innovate while enhancing the university’s national and global impact.
I look forward to collaborating with our dedicated research community of ZU-CESS to achieve new milestones of excellence through this conference.Â
Dr. Shehla Najib Sidiki is an academician and administrative professional with extensive experience in heading and running programs. During her career spanning 24 years, she has taught and trained over 6000 students both at the undergraduate and graduate level in the areas of Personal Management, Human Resource Management, Leadership, Crisis Management, Managerial Communication, Entrepreneurship and Research Methodology.
Her ability to start new programs and make them successful lead her to initiate the Media Program, BS Entrepreneurship program, EMBA and an International undergrad program affiliated with the Coventry University. She has ongoing research projects and publications in peer reviewed journals which she has presented at various conferences. She is currently the Dean of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Ziauddin University, Karachi. She completed her PhD in Crisis Management and Leadership with a focus on managing crises in Higher Educational Institutions. She travelled to remote areas all over Pakistan to collect data and has a knack to assimilate within various ethnicities. Having worked with students from various strata, she is an expert in developing, instigating and sustaining appropriate mannerism in a working environment. Her satisfaction comes from seeing her students transform from initial immature naïve selves to well-groomed and ready-to- combat-the-world leaders. She is a great believer and advocate of living life to the fullest.Â
Dr. Nuzhat Naz is serving as Assistant Professor in College of Education at Ziauddin University. She holds PhD in Education as well as MA in Special Education. Dr. Naz is a dedicated academician who has specialized in Early Childhood Education. She carries rich experience of teaching at pre-primary and primary levels and has the ability to skillfully integrate research and practices to support holistic learning environments for young children. She has published many articles in national and foreign journals. She has also presented her research at various conferences. Recently, she has completed Post doctorate from International Islamic University Islamabad with research focused on Inculcation of Islamic Values in Young Children. Her academic path reflects a deep dedication to bring a meaningful transformative change through education.Â
Dr. Syeda Aliya Fatima is an Assistant Professor and a seasoned educationist with a Ph.D. in Education from Greenwich University, Karachi. She has contributed in different universities and institutions including Ziauddin University, Greenwich University, Fatimiyah Higher Education Institute, FUUAST and Murtazavi Library, where she also served as a research and teaching practice supervisor. With active contribution to research, Dr. Fatima has published several research articles in national and international journals and actively participated in academic conferences and workshops. She also leads educational development projects and community engagement programs at Murtazavi Library. Her areas of expertise include classroom innovation, gender equity, homeschooling, early childhood education, educational psychology and quality assurance in education.Â
An educator with a multidisciplinary background, she holds Master’s degrees in both Economics and Information Technology and is currently pursuing an M.Phil. in Education. With over 20 years of experience in teaching, teacher training, and academic leadership, she has contributed meaningfully to various educational settings. As Academic Coordinator for undergraduate studies, she has led curriculum design, integrated educational technology, implemented academic policies, and supported students through both academic advising and mentorship.
She is a certified University of Cambridge Teacher Trainer and holds a Diploma in Teaching and Learning from the University of Cambridge. Her professional strengths include the integration of educational technology, teacher development, student-centered learning, and evidence-based instructional design. Committed to advancing quality in higher education, she brings a research-informed, globally aligned approach to teaching, leadership, and institutional developmentÂ
