Dr. Ali Cheema Shares Insights on Strengthening Universities and Academic Excellence
Share
What is the role of universities in a rapidly changing world? How can they break down silos and build synergy across disciplines and communities? These are just some of the questions that guided the panel discussion on “Reimagining Organizational Rigor: From Silos to Synergy” held at Forman Christian College. The event brought together faculty, academic leaders, and professionals for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of higher education in Pakistan.
The session featured Dr. Ali Cheema, Vice Chancellor, LUMS; Dr. Mariam Chughtai, Assistant Professor, Syed Ahsan Ali and Syed Maratib Ali School of Education, LUMS; and Ms. Rubina Jamal, CEO, Insolito Associates, and was moderated by Dr. Yaqoob Khan Bangash of Information Technology University.
Speaking about the core mission of higher education, Dr. Cheema stressed that universities must be spaces where students are given the freedom to think, question, and engage. “A university should be a place where students develop cognitive skills, explore ideas, socialise and critically engage with the world,” he said. He also underlined that faculty are the cornerstone of academic excellence, central to shaping this experience and ensuring that universities remain places of both excellence and inclusion.
The conversation then turned to the barriers that can hold institutions back. Ms. Jamal highlighted how silos within organisations limit opportunities for collaboration and exchange, stressing that universities need to create deliberate spaces that enable dialogue and connection. Building on this, Dr. Chughtai observed that such efforts can only succeed when rooted in mutual respect, explaining that “developing respect for every member of the ecosystem, even when perspectives differ, is what leads us from silos toward true synergy.”
The discussion explored the need for universities to move beyond isolated departments, recognising that faculty are central to academic excellence. Dr. Cheema highlighted that universities must ensure that both teaching and research receive equal attention and that the contributions of faculty are strengthened to support the institution’s broader pedagogical mission.
The conversation highlighted that the future of higher education will depend on institutions’ ability to connect people, ideas, and knowledge while strengthening the role of faculty in shaping learning, inquiry, and institutional growth.
