APSUP South Punjab Chapter Holds Roundtable at USP Multan Ahead of 7th Rectors’ Conference in Islamabad

The Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan (APSUP), South Punjab Chapter, hosted a regional roundtable at the University of Southern Punjab (USP) in Multan as a pre-conference event for the upcoming 7th Rectors’ Conference, scheduled for December 3–5, 2026, in Islamabad. The discussion focused on the theme “Redefining Success – From Belief to Character, to Leadership, to Institution and Civilization.”

Mr. Asim Nazir Ahmad, President of the APSUP South Punjab Chapter and Chairman of the Board of Governors, University of Southern Punjab Multan, Pakistan, chaired the roundtable. Prof. Dr. Sumaira Rehman, Rector of Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan, served as Chief Guest and discussion facilitator. The event brought together Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and senior academic leaders to deliberate on the evolving purpose of higher education and the role universities play in shaping Pakistan’s future.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Asim Nazir Ahmad welcomed the distinguished Vice Chancellors and academic leaders. He expressed special appreciation to Prof. Dr. Sumaira Rehman and her team for traveling from Lahore to facilitate the deliberations. He also acknowledged Prof. Dr. Ch. Abdul Rehman's efforts to advance the higher education sector. Highlighting APSUP’s role, he emphasized the importance of character mastery and of creating supportive university environments that nurture the personal and professional development of students and faculty.

Setting the direction for the discussion, Prof. Dr. Sumaira Rehman highlighted the challenges facing students, faculty, and university leadership. She emphasized that universities' fundamental purpose extends beyond awarding degrees and preparing graduates for employment; their broader responsibility is to contribute to society's flourishing.

Vice Chancellors and senior academic leaders underscored the need to strengthen character building, cultivate a robust research culture, and promote ethical, responsible leadership as essential elements of holistic university development. The academic leaders suggested that universities must look beyond conventional indicators such as rankings, research publications, accreditation, graduate employability, and financial sustainability. While acknowledging their importance, it emphasized that genuine institutional success must also be reflected in graduates’ character, ethical leadership, institutional integrity, and meaningful contributions to society.

The roundtable explored a five-dimensional framework linking belief, character, leadership, institutions, and civilization. The framework holds that belief provides purpose, character translates purpose into conduct, leadership turns values into collective action, and institutions sustain these efforts through fairness, accountability, and trust.

Discussions also highlighted the growing significance of ethical judgment, critical thinking, resilience, collaboration, and social responsibility in an era shaped by artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and changing labor-market demands. Participants emphasized that universities must prepare graduates not only for professional success but also for responsible citizenship and constructive leadership.

The deliberations examined how universities can assess character development alongside academic achievement, integrate ethical leadership into educational experiences, strengthen transparency and accountability, and contribute more effectively to Pakistan’s social and economic progress.

In his personal thank-you note, Prof. Emeritus Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, Rector of the University of Southern Punjab, Multan, thanked all honorable delegates on behalf of the USP BOG Chairman and the entire governance team.

The roundtable served as an important regional platform for academic leaders to exchange perspectives and contribute to the national dialogue ahead of the 7th Rectors’ Conference. The roundtable's central message was clear: universities must be more than degree-granting institutions. They must cultivate character, develop principled leaders, build public trust, and contribute to a more ethical, capable, and prosperous society.