Speakers at the 19th International Conference on Frontiers in Physics 2026 stressed that strong science needs strong institutions, and that no country can sustain economic progress without advancing knowledge, research and innovation.
The three-day conference is organised by the Institute of Physics, Government College University Lahore, in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC), Pakistan Academy of Sciences and Forman Christian College University Lahore.
The conference has drawn 295 contributed speakers and participants from across Pakistan, 45 invited speakers, and 14 foreign speakers, who are scheduled to speak in 18 parallel technical sessions.
Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairman Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan attended the inaugural session as chief guest. The session was also addressed by GCU Lahore Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Omer Chaudhry and Pakistan Academy of Sciences President and HEC Distinguished National Professor Dr Kauser Abdullah Malik (HI, SI, TI), along with other foreign and local invited speakers and participants.
Two former vice chancellors of GCU and eminent physicists, Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah and Prof Dr Khaleeq-ur-Rehman, were also present on the occasion.
In his address, Dr Kauser Abdullah Malik stressed the importance of strengthening collaborative academic activities between institutions and said the Pakistan Academy of Sciences remains willing to support scholarly initiatives across the country. He referred to the long association between GCU and the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, noting that many scientists who contributed to Pakistan’s nuclear programme were educated at Government College’s Physics Department. He urged the department and young researchers to preserve and strengthen this legacy through sustained scholarly work, quality research and regular academic activities.
GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Omer Chaudhry said the university takes pride in its Physics Department’s legacy, including Nobel Laureate Dr Abdus Salam, and urged graduate and postgraduate students to benefit fully from the technical sessions, calling such academic forums vital for learning, research engagement and productive outcomes.
PHEC Chairman Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said higher education bodies serve as enablement platforms to promote knowledge and research culture, adding that PHEC would continue supporting initiatives that strengthen academic collaboration and research excellence.
GCU Institute of Physics Director Prof Dr Muhammad Nouman Sarwar Qureshi said the conference marks the 19th edition of a long-standing series, formerly known as the National Symposium on Frontiers in Physics, and has evolved into a significant national and international forum for researchers and students working across diverse areas of contemporary physics.
He said the scientific programme includes 18 parallel technical sessions designed to cover emerging and frontier areas in physics, aimed at promoting exchange of ideas, meaningful scientific discussion and new research collaborations. He also acknowledged the support of partner institutions and thanked HEC Pakistan, PHEC, Pakistan Academy of Sciences, ORIC GCU Lahore and FCCU for support, local hospitality and IT facilitation.
He said that the three-day conference will also play a critical role in building academic linkages and promoting high-impact research.
Posted on
2026-01-28
