The University of Okara (UoO) successfully hosted the two-day International Conference on Educational Research & Assessment (ICERA-2025), organized by the Department of Educational Research & Assessment (DERA). The event was supervised by Dr Muhammad Tahir Khan Farooqi, Chairman of DERA, with significant contributions from Dr Shehzad Ahmed and Dr Khalid Saleem.
The conference, chaired by UoO Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Sajjad Mubin, featured globally renowned keynote speakers, including Dr Zainun Binti Mustafa from Malaysia, Dr Muhammad Naveed Khalid from the United Kingdom, Dr Ekateria Gavrishyk from Russia, and Dr Priscilla Bahaw from the West Indies. Local experts such as Prof Dr Munawar Sultana Mirza, former VC of the University of Education (UoE), and Prof Dr Naseer Ud Din, VC of the University of Kohat (KUST), also contributed to the discussions.
In his opening address, Prof Mubin emphasized the crucial role of education in socio-economic development, calling for policy reforms to enhance inclusivity and curriculum improvisation. Dr Farooqi outlined the conference’s objectives, highlighting key research themes and achievements of the department.
Speakers addressed various aspects of educational research and assessment. Prof Mirza discussed the role of education in social justice, advocating for a uniform national education policy aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr Zainun provided insights on South East Asian educational perspectives, touching on the colonial influences on the region’s education system. Prof Hafiz Ather Khan from Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB) stressed the importance of skills-based education and curriculum revision to meet modern job market demands.
The conference concluded with insightful discussions, encouraging students to engage in networking and collaborative research. A total of 64 research papers were presented, and the event also included a Qawwali Night, fostering informal academic exchanges.
During the closing ceremony, Prof Mubin reiterated the importance of an inclusive and pro-poor education system, calling for reforms in assessment methodologies. Shields and certificates were distributed to keynote speakers and paper presenters in recognition of their contributions.