I RECENTLY participated in a one-day academic workshop in Karachi. The programme flyer included several sessions interspersed with tea and lunch breaks that were intended to provide opportunities for networking among the participants.
In principle, these informal interactions should allow professionals to exchange ideas, build collaborations and learn from one another. However, what I observed during the breaks was not genuine networking, but rather usual intra-working, whereby conversations were mostly confined to the same team members who were familiar to one another.
While such interactions are natural and comfortable, they rarely lead to new perspectives or meaningful professional connections. The opportunity to engage with people from different institutions, disciplines, backgrounds and locations should not be overlooked.
In that spirit, our team decided to make the most of the networking opportunity by approaching one of the keynote speakers who had just concluded his presentation.
We introduced ourselves and attempted to engage him in a brief discussion about the ideas he had presented. To our disappointment, he exchanged a quick handshake and immediately moved on without making eye contact or responding to the point we were raising.
The interaction, therefore, ended as soon as it had begun. This experience prompted us to reflect upon a broader issue. Too often, a hierarchical or corporate-style culture discourages open dialogue between senior and junior professionals.
Genuine networking is not merely the exchange of greetings or business cards; it is the exchange of ideas, experiences and perspectives. Such interactions can lead to motivation and inspiration, foster collaboration, and contribute to overall professional growth.
If Pakistan’s universities and academic institutions aspire to cultivate a true learning culture, they must also encourage a culture of accessibility, openness and, indeed, intellectual engagement. Learning flourishes in environments where dialogue is welcomed, curiosity is truly valued, and every participant — regardless of position or seniority — feels comfortable in initiating meaningful conversations.
Prof (Dr) Abdul Rehman Memon
Karachi
Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2026
