Rabat: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Medal of Honour by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). The accolade was presented during the 6th Vice Chancellors’ Forum of Universities in the Islamic World, held at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, Morocco.
The award recognizes Prof. Iqbal’s leadership in advancing Pakistan towards a knowledge-based economy, with a focus on higher education, science, and innovation. It also acknowledges his contributions as a thought leader in the Islamic world, advocating for a revival of a civilization-building ethos.
In his address at the Ministerial Plenary, Prof. Iqbal emphasized his connection to Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s philosophy, citing the importance of selfhood, creative reasoning, and a future rooted in knowledge. He highlighted the transformative journey of Pakistan’s higher education, showcasing the expansion of public universities and increased student enrollment and faculty strength.
Under Prof. Iqbal’s guidance, initiatives such as the Pakistan-U.S. Knowledge Corridor and the establishment of National Centres of Excellence have been launched. These efforts culminated in the creation of Quantum Valley Pakistan, focusing on deep-tech innovation.
The core of these reforms is a Seven-Pillar Higher Education Reform Framework, which includes modern curricula, research commercialization, and industry-academia linkages. Prof. Iqbal advocated for reviving the Islamic world’s intellectual legacy, urging nations to embrace lifelong learning and creative thought.
At the Forum, Prof. Iqbal proposed a vision for pan-Islamic cooperation, including joint degrees, research funding, and digital education initiatives. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for their support and dedicated the award to the youth and educators of Pakistan.
The recognition highlights Pakistan’s growing influence in the global education sector and its commitment to a knowledge-driven future. Prof. Iqbal’s leadership was praised as a blend of vision, planning, and reformist courage, marking a significant milestone for the country’s role in the Islamic world.