
The meeting brought together representatives from leading universities across the city, providing a platform to discuss joint initiatives, resource sharing, and enhanced opportunities for student engagement. The consortium aspires to strengthen inter-institutional ties and create an integrated environment that benefits students, faculty, and the broader academic landscape of Lahore. Esteemed attendees included delegates from Kinnaird College for Women (KCW), Lahore College for Women University, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore Garrison University, FAST NUCES Lahore, Rashid Latif Khan University, Institute of Art and Culture, University of Education, Information Technology University, NUR International University, and Forman Christian College (A Chartered University). With BNU taking the lead in hosting this landmark event, the consortium is poised to develop structured collaborations, organize joint events, and build sustainable partnerships, ensuring that Lahore’s universities collectively nurture talent and foster excellence in both academic and co-curricular arenas.

The journal delves into 21st-century polymathy, spotlighting transdisciplinary texts and practices that align with the Chair’s mission to break disciplinary boundaries in pursuit of greater inclusion. The launch event featured addresses by the IEDAs team, including Editorial Manager Manal Abdullah, Editor-in-Chief Quddus Mirza, and Chairholder Prof. Rashid Rana. Video messages from Madam France Marquet and Mr. Fuad Pashayev added international voices to the evening. A dynamic panel discussion moderated by Editorial Director Rohma Khan brought together journal contributors Kazim Ali, Amna Hashmi, and Saira Ansari to share their insights. The evening was further enriched by a powerful keynote address delivered by the esteemed Mr. Fakir Syed Aijazzudin.

The show was inaugurated by Mr. Tariq Sayeed Saigol, Chairman of Kohinoor Maple Leaf Group (KMLG), who graced the event as Guest of Honour. He was joined by Mrs. Nasreen Kasuri, Chairperson of the Beaconhouse National University Fund, Mr. Shafqat Mahmood, Prof. Rashid Rana, Dean of MDSVAD, and Dr. Moeed Yusuf, Vice Chancellor of BNU. Together, they toured the expansive displays, appreciating the depth and diversity of student work across disciplines. The Degree Show attracted not just the general public, but a stellar lineup of renowned celebrities, scholars, and industry leaders. The presence of Fawad Afzal Khan (actor and producer), Prof. Dr. Iram Zia Raja (Dean, Faculty of Design at NCA), Zaheer Uddin (writer and director), Noor ul Hassan (actor and TV host), and Mr. Fakir Syed Aijazuddin OBE (historian and academic) added immense prestige and excitement to the occasion. More than just an academic exhibition, the MDSVAD Degree Show 2025 stood as a powerful testament to BNU’s unwavering commitment to excellence in the arts. The event not only celebrated the graduates’ creative achievements but also reaffirmed MDSVAD’s status as a national leader in visual arts education, innovation, and cultural discourse.

The award ceremony was held in the presence of Dr. Moeed Yusuf, Vice Chancellor of BNU, and Prof. Rashid Rana, Dean of the Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts and Design (MD-SVAD) and UNESCO Chairholder for ‘Inclusion through Art.’ Both leaders applauded Mrs. Saigol's pivotal role in nurturing the contemporary art landscape of the country. Celebrated figures from Pakistan’s art community, including Dr. Musarrat Hassan, Ms. Sameera Raja, Mr. Quddus Mirza, and Dr. Jahanara Saigol, shared their reflections on Mrs. Saigol’s legacy. Their remarks underscored the vital impact of her contributions in shaping the art ecosystem and inspiring emerging generations of artists and curators.