Chairman Senate Yousuf Raza Gilani Calls Education the Cornerstone of National Progress at FLAME 2025 Closing
Gilani Urges Equity, Integrity, and Innovation in Higher Education Policy
ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, delivered an inspiring keynote address at the closing ceremony of the Faculty, Leadership and Management Excellence (FLAME) Conference 2025, underscoring that the promotion of higher education is essential for national survival and progress. Held under the auspices of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the event was attended by HEC Chairman, senior faculty, administrators, and national and international education leaders.
“Teachers, academic administrators, and policymakers are the true architects of a nation’s intellectual and moral future,” Gilani stated, acknowledging their role in shaping not just academic standards but also the democratic, social, and ethical fabric of Pakistan.
Chairman Gilani praised the collaborative efforts of the HEC, National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE), and the Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) project team for planting the seeds of genuine transformation through a commitment to quality, accountability, and innovation in higher education.
Referring to FLAME 2025 as more than a professional development initiative, he revealed that over 4,000 faculty members, women leaders, and university administrators from 86 public universities were trained under the HEDP program this year. He described this outreach as a strategic leap toward a more progressive and inclusive future.
“Education is not merely a route to employment—it is a path to dignity, self-reliance, and social cohesion,” he remarked, adding that universities must be seen as centers for nation-building where faculty do more than teach—they shape character, uphold democratic values, and safeguard intellectual freedom.
Chairman Gilani extended gratitude to global development partners, including the World Bank and British Council, for contributing not just through infrastructure or funding but by reinforcing long-term institutional resilience, governance, and inclusion.
He gave special emphasis to the Women Empowerment Mentorship Program, asserting that Pakistan cannot achieve true progress without ensuring equal access to leadership and learning for women. “Gender equity must not remain a slogan—it must guide every policy, plan, and platform,” he stressed. Sharing a personal note, he mentioned that his own daughter has served as a goodwill ambassador for women’s empowerment.
In his concluding remarks, Chairman Gilani urged stakeholders to view the conclusion of FLAME 2025 as the beginning of real change. “Let the ideas, strategies, and networks forged here ignite reform, inspire institutional growth, and deliver results that reach classrooms, communities, and generations.”
