ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Medal of Honour by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO) in recognition of his knowledge leadership.

The award was conferred during the 6th Vice Chancellors’ Forum of Universities in the Islamic World, held at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, Morocco.

The prestigious award celebrates Ahsan Iqbal’s visionary leadership in steering Pakistan toward a knowledge-based economy, underpinned by strategic investments in higher education, science, and innovation.

It also acknowledges his role as a thought leader in the Islamic world, reviving a civilisation-building ethos grounded in ethical inquiry, collaboration, and technological advancement.

Mr Iqbal, speaking at the Ministerial Plenary under the theme “Reimagining Higher Education in Islamic Countries,” traced the roots of his journey to the legacy of one of the greatest intellectuals of the Muslim world: Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

He passionately argued that the Islamic world needs to revive its intellectual and scientific legacy, urging nations to re-embrace the Qur’anic command “Iqra (Read)” as a call to lifelong learning and creative thought:

“Bricks and mortar do not build civilisations—ideas do. In today’s fast-changing world, innovation is the new currency of survival and success. Our future will not be written by our natural resources, but by our intellectual capital and ability to solve problems.”

At the forum, Mr Iqbal presented a bold vision for pan-Islamic cooperation under ICESCO. He proposed the establishment of an ICESCO Knowledge Alliance of Universities offering joint degrees and dual PhDs.

He also called for the creation of an Islamic Grand Challenges Fund to support research in climate, energy, water, health, and food security.

Furthermore, he advocated launching a Digital Education Transformation Initiative to provide MOOCs, open-access libraries, and multilingual platforms.

Prof Iqbal suggested setting up ICESCO Centres of Excellence in AI, Islamic Finance, Conflict Studies, and Climate Technology. Additionally, he introduced a Youth Research Mobility and Leadership Programme featuring fellowships, mentorship, and a Young Scholars Council.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2025