Oxford University Press Pakistan Hosts School Leaders’ Conference to Empower Learners for Impact

Oxford University Press Pakistan (OUPP) hosted the School Leaders’ Conference in Karachi, bringing together educators, policymakers, and academic experts from across the region. As Pakistan’s largest city and its economic and educational hub, Karachi provided the perfect backdrop for meaningful conversations on new ways to improve teaching, learning, and assessment across the country.

In his welcome address, Arshad Saeed Husain, Managing Director, OUP Pakistan, speaking about the challenges facing education in Pakistan, said that “schools must prioritize skills-based curricula, robust teacher development, contemporary pedagogy, holistic learning, and digital competence, only then can we equip students to thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape.” He concluded by saying: “Oxford University Press will continue to be on this journey with you. We bring our heritage of excellence, our commitment to teacher development, and our belief that every child in Pakistan deserves learning that is engaging, rigorous, and humane.”

The conference, themed “Empowering Learners for Impact,” featured a strong lineup of education leaders, including Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Dr. Penelope Woolf, Yasmeen Rajbhoy, Iffat Basrai, Hassan Khan, Minhas Tejani, Dr. Stephen Lyon, and Fozia Ahsan Farooqui. They shared their perspectives on how innovation and collaboration can drive meaningful change in schools.

Dr. Penelope Woolf, Director of Impact & Learning Design, OUP said: “At Oxford University Press, we are committed to developing educational solutions that deliver real impact in the most effective way possible. By combining the best in research-informed learning design and pedagogy with our extensive educational experience and expertise globally, we develop products and services that will support teachers, advance knowledge and learning, and deliver the best educational outcomes for all.”

Shahnaz Wazir Ali, a renowned educationist and former parliamentarian, said: “When the human intellect is exploring outer space, diving into the depths of the ocean, and unleashing its genius through invention and innovation, our children’s minds are still held back by an education system that is rigid, inflexible, and stuck in outdated structures.”

She emphasized that to bring improvement in the learning outcomes and help every child reach their potential, Pakistan must break free from excessive regulations and centralized controls. She called for investment in quality teaching and learning, placing teachers and students at the heart of the change process.

Throughout the day, presentations and panel discussion focused on key issues such as preparing students for a rapidly evolving world, leading change through innovative teaching, developing collaborative leadership in education, and embracing a digital future with OUPP’s blended learning resources.

The event ended with an interactive Q&A session, giving educators a chance to engage directly with the OUP leadership and assessment experts.