AAS-in-Asia 2026 Concludes at LUMS with More Than 1,000 Scholars from 37 Countries

LAHORE: The three-day international academic conference AAS-in-Asia 2026 concluded at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) on Sunday, bringing together more than 1,000 scholars, students, university leaders and other participants from over 37 countries and 517 institutions.

Held under the theme “Asia at the Center: New Connections and Shaping the Future,” the conference featured scholars, researchers and experts from leading institutions around the world, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, the University of Tokyo, the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Harvard University, the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford and Yale University.

AAS-in-Asia has previously been held in South Korea, Indonesia, Nepal, Japan, India and Thailand. Its first-ever edition in Pakistan provided the international academic community with an opportunity for scholarly and cultural exchange in Lahore over three days.

The conference featured panel sessions, pre-conference workshops, roundtables, open houses, exhibitions and cultural programmes at LUMS. Discussions covered political, economic and social transformations in Asia, conflict and cooperation, democratic processes, technology and artificial intelligence, environmental issues, urban development, women and marginalised communities, culture, art and knowledge.

Participants also discussed the impact of Asia’s economic, political and cultural transformations on global debates, along with issues including border disputes, contested sovereignty, urbanisation, climate change, migration, inequality and social justice.

The conference also examined the formation of Asian identities through literature, art, performance, cultural heritage and everyday cultural practices, as well as opportunities for dialogue and greater connections across the region.

At the opening ceremony, LUMS Vice Chancellor Dr Ali Cheema and Association for Asian Studies President Professor Alora Shabuddin delivered welcome addresses.

Welcoming participants to LUMS, Dr Ali Cheema highlighted the importance of bringing diverse perspectives together and strengthening Pakistan’s participation in wider discussions about Asia and the world.

“We are pleased to host more than 1,000 scholars, students, university leaders and others from 37 countries and 517 institutions. Pakistan should be an active part of conversations about Asia and the world,” Dr Cheema said.

He said hosting AAS-in-Asia was particularly significant for LUMS and Pakistan as it enabled international scholars to engage with Pakistan’s academic and cultural landscape and explore the history of Lahore, a city that has served as a centre of literature, art and intellectual exchange for centuries.

Professor Alora Shabuddin said every AAS-in-Asia gathering provided an opportunity to engage with new research and build connections with new colleagues and collaborators.

She described the Lahore conference as particularly significant, noting that it brought AAS scholars to a city that had served for centuries as a political and cultural centre for diverse communities and as an important site of global connections.

She expressed hope that the gathering would lead to new research partnerships and friendships while deepening collective knowledge about and from Asia.

Dr Adil Najam, President of WWF International, delivered a keynote address on climate change. Referring to experiences in Asia and South Asia, particularly Pakistan, he said climate change could no longer be viewed solely as an environmental issue. He highlighted the emerging era of climate adaptation and the impact of climate change on water, food, security, development, governance and social justice.

Alongside academic sessions, the conference featured a range of cultural activities. A special calligraphy workshop, “The Contemplative Arts: A Studio Series,” provided participants with an opportunity to explore and engage practically with artistic traditions of the region.

Cultural performances, exhibitions and other activities showcased Lahore’s cultural heritage, handicrafts, cuisine, music and arts. The cultural centre established on the LUMS campus also provided international participants with opportunities to explore different aspects of Lahore’s culture and connect with local communities and members of the creative sector.

The closing ceremony on Sunday began with a cultural programme featuring diverse dance traditions from across Asia, highlighting the region’s rich artistic traditions and varied forms of cultural expression.