The International Conference on Innovative Pathways in Educational Leadership and Management (IPELM-25) commenced on Wednesday at the Allama Iqbal Auditorium, Faisal Masjid Campus of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI).The event, organized by the Department of Educational Leadership and Management, Faculty of Education, IIUI, has drawn eminent scholars, educationists, and policymakers from around the globe to deliberate on the future of educational leadership and reform.
The two-day event aims to explore transformational and adaptive leadership frameworks that can redefine educational management in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, technological innovation, and social change.Speaking at the conference as Chief Guest, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Shuja Syed, President of IIUI, acknowledged the rapid transformations facing humanity due to regenerative AI and changing communication dynamics. “If teachers develop the ability to perceive differently and adapt, new innovative pathways will unfold,” he said. He lauded the conference as an invaluable opportunity for learning and fostering visionary leadership.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood, Vice Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University, emphasized that universities must not only chase rankings but also make meaningful contributions to society. Addressing challenges such as ineffective research-to-industry integration and a crisis in educational leadership, he called for merit-based faculty hiring and greater collaboration among institutions. “Leadership in education needs to reflect contemporary realities, not compromised appointments,” he asserted.
Dr. Tabassum Naz, Director of the National Curriculum Council, highlighted the importance of aligning personal goals of educators with institutional missions. She emphasized the role of innovation in adapting to dynamic educational landscapes and urged stakeholders to focus on sustainable curriculum reforms.In his opening remarks, Dr. Azhar Mahmood, Chairperson of the Department of Educational Leadership and Management and Conference Chair, described the conference as a significant milestone in rethinking education. He apprised that that participants from the USA, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia, alongside local institutions such as IBA Sukkur and Nusrat Bhutto University, are attending. He said that IPELM-25 offers a meaningful platform for collaborative dialogue.
The conference features 155 oral paper presentations and 16 poster presentations, with parallel sessions running across seven venues. Themes include adaptive leadership, policy reform, digital transformation, curriculum innovation, and more. Selected papers will be considered for publication in IIUI’s academic journals, IJDEEL and IJITL.
Day 1 sessions witnessed contributions from international scholars such as Prof. Manjula Vithanapathirana from Sri Lanka, Prof. Dr. Khalifa from Saudi Arabia, Dr. Maslawati Mohamad from Malaysia, and Dr. Anzar Khaliq from the USA. A panel discussion featuring distinguished experts from Pakistan and abroad is also scheduled.IPELM-25 continues Thursday with technical sessions and a concluding plenary, aiming to reshape discourse on leadership, inclusion, and innovation in education.