Experts from academic, governmental, and development sectors will deliberate on the critical roles of artificial intelligence in education and media, alongside its impact on climate action, during a major two-day academic gathering beginning Wednesday.
According to a statement today, Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU) is hosting its 3rd Global Research Congress (GRC-2025), which incorporates five international conferences and one national conference, starting December 17, 2025.
The inaugural ceremony is scheduled for 10:00 am at the Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto Auditorium, with Dr. Tariq Rafi, Chairman of the Sindh Higher Education Commission, officiating the event. The opening session will feature addresses from international and national scholars, including Dr. Mujeeb Sahrai, Prof. Edwina Pio of Auckland University of Technology and the University of Oxford, and Professor Mustafa Ozbilgin from Brunel University of London.
Other speakers at the opening will include Dr. Maria Isabel Moldando Garcia from the University of Punjab, Lahore, alongside the GRC Convener, Dr. Jamshed Adil Halepoto, and GRC Secretary, Dr. Mansoor Ahmed Khuhro. The ceremony, conducted by Assistant Professor Wafa Mansoor Buriro, will also include the screening of a brief documentary.
The first day’s agenda is packed with technical sessions and several high-level panel discussions across the university.
At 2:00 pm in the Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto Auditorium, SMIU’s Department of Education will hold a panel discussion on ‘The Role of Educators in Shaping Sustainable Societies: Challenges and Opportunities.’ Participants include Commodore (R) Jameel Akhtar, Assistant to Chief of Naval Staff for Education; Prof. Dr. Shahida Sajjad, Vice-Chancellor of Metropolitan University, Karachi; Syed Imdad Ali Shah, Special Secretary for Education; Mrs. Rana Hussain, Caretaker Minister for Education; and Prof. Dr. Amjid Arain, Acting Vice-Chancellor of GC University, Hyderabad. The session will be moderated by Syed Majid Ali Nazir.
Concurrently, the Faculty of Language and Culture Studies will host a discussion on the ‘Ethics of AI in Language Education and Research’ at 2:00 pm in the Senate Hall. The panel features Dr. Maria Isabel Moldando Garcia, Dr. Hina Hussain Kazmi of UN Women, Ms. Sidrah Niaz of Evolution-Igniting Potential, and Ms. Zahra Khan from Bahria University Karachi Campus. Mr. Wafa Mansoor Buriro will moderate.
Later, at 3:30 pm, the Faculty of Social Sciences will organize a panel at the Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto Auditorium focusing on ‘AI, Media, and the Climate Narratives: The Role of Media and AI in Advancing Climate Action and the SDGs.’ The panelists are climate activist Ms. Fatima Majeed, environmental journalists Ms. Shabina Faraz and Mr. Amar Guriro, development expert Zeenia Shaukat, and climate change expert Mr. Nasir Ali Panhwar. Dr. Nosheen Hussain of SMIU will moderate the discussion.