LUMS Hosts International Education Summit to Reform Pakistan Education

Overview of the EDCON26 Summit

The Data and Research in Education Research Consortium (DARE-RC) recently concluded the International Education Summit 2026, known as EDCON26. The event took place at LUMS on October 31 and November 1, 2026, bringing together policymakers, researchers, and education sector leaders.

Co-hosted by the Syed Ahsan Ali and Syed Maratib Ali School of Education (SOE), the summit aimed to bridge the gap between academic research and practical policy implementation. The core theme of the event was 'From Evidence to Action.'

44 New Research Reports Released

A primary outcome of the summit was the release of 44 research studies and scoping papers. These documents are designed to provide an evidence base for reform in the Pakistani education sector. The research addresses current knowledge gaps and aims to support better decision-making for educators and government officials.

The UK invested in DARE to strengthen Pakistan’s education evidence base, improve access to high-quality data and help policymakers make informed decisions based on evidence, not assumption. — Maria Wyard, Head of Human Capital, Inclusion and Governance, British High Commission.

Key Participants and Leadership

The summit featured prominent speakers who discussed the future of education in Pakistan. Notable attendees included:

• Nadeem Mahbub, Federal Secretary of Education
• Dr. Ali Cheema, Vice Chancellor of LUMS
• Dr. Adil Najam, President of WWF International
• Maria Wyard, British High Commission

Participants spent two days analyzing the new evidence and considering how these findings can improve practice at both the institutional and national levels.

Last checked: November 3, 2026. Please verify details through official university notices or the DARE-RC portal.

Conclusion

The release of these 44 reports marks a shift toward data-driven policymaking in Pakistan. Students and educators interested in the future of the local education system should monitor the LUMS SOE website for the publication of these research findings.