ACU membership networking event (Pakistan)
28th April 2026
Arrive from 09:30 for 10:30 start. Event ends at 15:00.
The Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design, Johar Town, Lahore
Join the ACU’s Head of Membership and Events, Ms Kathryn Jack, for a half-day membership networking event hosted by ACU member the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD).
This in-person event will bring together higher education leaders from across Pakistan to connect, share priorities and explore opportunities for global engagement across the Commonwealth. The programme features insights into ACU membership benefits, a roundtable discussion on higher education priorities for Pakistan, an overview of ACU funding opportunities, and ways for members to engage with the ACU’s policy and advocacy work ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2026.
The event includes refreshments, networking over lunch and a guided tour of PIFD’s campus.
Programme
- 09:30 – 10:15: Registration desk opens, join us early as an opportunity to network
- 10:30: Recitation of Holy Quran
- 10:32: National anthem
- 10:35 – 10:45: Welcome address by Professor Hina Tayyaba Khalil, Vice-Chancellor, Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD) and ACU Council Member
- 10:45 – 10:55: Speech by Dr Uzma Qureshi, Vice Chancellor, Lahore College for Women University
- 11:00 – 11:15: Learn more about ACU membership benefits - Kathryn Jack, ACU Head of Membership and Events & Membership Engagement Lead (Account Manager for Pakistan)
- 11:15 – 11:30: Refreshments / tea
- 11:30 – 12:15: Roundtable discussion, sharing HE priorities for Pakistan with a focus on global engagement across the Commonwealth chaired by Kathryn Jack
- 12:15 – 12:35: ACU Funding opportunities – Dr Shawana Khalil, Professor, PIFD: The impact of being an ACU Gender Grant award holder
- 12:35 – 13:30: Lunch and networking (including a group photo)
- 13:30 – 14:00: Discover ways to engage with the ACU’s Policy and Advocacy work - we will be joined online by Fariba Soetan, the ACU’s Head of Policy and Research, who will share more about the member policy and advocacy activities, the Higher Education Taskforce, Expert Groups and how Pakistani members can get more involved in the lead up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2026
- 14:00 – 15:00: Closing remarks and tour of PIFD’s campus