Islamabad, February 25, 2025 – The Faculty of Social Sciences at Iqra University, Islamabad H-9 Campus, in collaboration with Capacity Analytics, successfully organized a high-impact academic conference titled "State, Society, and Culture: Dynamics of Power, Identity, and Change." Bringing together leading scholars, researchers, and policymakers, the conference served as a dynamic platform for insightful discussions on the evolving landscapes of power, identity, and societal transformation in the modern world.
Under the leadership of Professor Eatzaz Ahmad, the conference flourished as an intellectual hub for critical discourse and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The conference delved into a range of thought-provoking themes, including:
· Climate Change and Sustainable Development – Examining climate governance, renewable energy transitions, and the socio-economic impact of environmental challenges on the Global South.
· Geopolitical Shifts and Pakistan’s Foreign Policy – Analyzing Pakistan’s strategic imperatives amidst shifting global power dynamics, regional conflicts, and economic alliances.
· Cultural Narratives and Identity Politics – Addressing historical reinterpretations, the representation of marginalized voices, and the role of literature and art in social transformation.
· Digitalization and Economic Evolution – Investigating the impact of artificial intelligence, financial inclusion, and governance in an increasingly technology-driven world.
The organizing committee included Prof. Eatzaz Ahmad, Prof. Dr. Sheharyar Khan, Dr. Muhammad Khan (Associate Professor), Dr. Tasawar Hussain (Associate Professor), and Mr. Muhammad Abdullah (Senior Lecturer and focal person of the conference). The event featured engaging keynote addresses, panel discussions, and research presentations from renowned scholars. Distinguished speakers included representatives from academia, international organizations, and think tanks, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas.
The conference also featured notable panel discussions with esteemed discussants, including:
· Climate Change and Sustainable Development Panel: Ms. Aisha Khan (Chief Executive, Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change), Dr. Eatzaz Ahmad (Professor, Iqra University Islamabad), Mr. Asif Turangzai (Senior Climate Change Officer, Asian Development Bank), moderated by Dr. Mutee Ul Rehman (Chief Technical Advisor, Capacity Analytics).
· Globalization and Regional Politics Panel: Ms. Rubab Irfan (Researcher on China's Belt and Road Initiative), Dr. Ismail Adaramola Abdul Azeez (Associate Professor, College of International Justice, UK), and Dr. Huma Qayum (Assistant Professor, Rawalpindi Women University).
· Media, Identity, and Cultural Narratives Panel: Dr. Lubna Sunawar (Scholar on media ecosystems), Dr. Rizwan Naseer (Expert on China-US competing narratives), and Dr. Syed Asad Ali Shah (Specialist in digital regulations and media policies).
The conference concluded with a thought-provoking closing session, where key recommendations were discussed, further reinforcing Iqra University’s dedication to academic excellence, critical thinking, and fostering meaningful research collaborations.
Iqra University extended its gratitude to all contributors, participants, and organizers for their commitment to knowledge dissemination and academic excellence. The Social Sciences Conference 2025 proved to be a transformative experience, reinforcing the university’s mission to promote critical discourse and impactful research.
