Forman’s Geography Department celebrated its 100th Anniversary during late November and early December under the tagline “Mapping the Century.” Special events included a series of lectures, starting on November 27 with a timely talk on the impact of air pollution and ways to mitigate it. Subsequent lectures featured Ms. Javeria Qais on SDGs and Climate Change and Dr. Samawia Rizwan on Disaster Management.

The series concluded on December 9 with an international discussion titled Geography: Past, Present, and Future organized by Department Chair Dr. Khadija and Ms. Hafsa, among others. This centennial event featured Dr. Safdar Ali Shirazi (former Director of the Institute of Geography at the University of Punjab) as the keynote speaker and included participation from Dr. Salman Qureshi (Humboldt University), Dr. Shakeel Mehmood (Government College University), and Dr. Sahar Zia (Lahore College for Women University). As one participant noted, “The celebration also featured heartfelt student testimonials, with alumni sharing personal stories of how their experience in the Geography Department had shaped their academic and professional paths.”

As part of its continuing Writer’s Lounge series, Forman’s English Department hosted Dr. Shahid Siddique for a talk on December 13 titled Language, Gender, and Power: The Politics of Representation. Currently the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Lahore School of Economics, Dr. Siddique studied in both Canada and the UK and previously served as Vice Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University. A prolific author, his books include Language, Gender, and Power and Hegemony and Education Policies in Pakistan, both published by Oxford University Press. He has also published literary works in Urdu, Punjabi, and Pushto.

Other events included a Flavors of the Language program on December 11 and a Christmas gathering for Christian faculty on December 12. Additionally, Dr. Fatima Syeda and Dr. Faiza Zaheer attended a panel discussion on the recent book Transcultural Humanities in South Asia by Dr. Waseem Anwar and Ms. Nosheen Yusaf at Government College University (Lahore).

Finally, English MPhil students enrolled in South Asian Literature and Transcultural Literature organized A Seminar on Monstrosities Across Diverse Cultures, an innovative teaching tool supervised by course instructors Ms. Sadiqa Maqbool and Dr. Subbah Mir. Participants came dressed as “monstrosities” from various backgrounds—an event where a single photograph likely tells the story best!

Speaking of innovative teaching approaches, I appreciated a note from Adeel Khalid, a lecturer in our English Department, who mentioned that he, along with Alvina Wasim, led a field trip involving Linguistics students to the National History Museum and the Walled City of Lahore as part of their coursework related to Critical Discourse Analysis and Digital Humanities. In addition to experiencing the rich linguistic diversity of Pakistan, students were introduced to folk tales of the Indus Valley Civilization and oral histories recalling partition and the establishment of Pakistan in 1947.

Also, Dr. Ayra Indrias Patras joined with Dr. Abeeda from the Political Science Department in accompanying 40 students taking her course on Pakistan’s National Government to the Punjab National Assembly. Thanks especially to Punjab Assembly Member Salma Butt who helped obtain the permissions required for this field trip.

From the January 2025 Rector’s Update

Forman’s Mass Communication Department hosted the prestigious International Communication Association (ICA) regional conference on December 5-6, bringing media studies scholars together for critical discussion on Climate and Communication. A special shoutout to Dr. Firasat Jabeen who played such a critical role in bringing the ICA conference to the Forman campus. For my part, I took a personal interest in the event, partly because two of the participants came from my alma mater, Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Forman’s Religious Studies Department joined with Kellogg College, the Asian Studies Center at Oxford University and the Information Technology University (ITU) in Lahore to host the first day of a three-day international conference on Christianity and Christians in Pakistan. Dr. Yaqoob Bangash who previously taught at Forman and is now on the faculty of ITU played a key role in organizing the event which opened at Forman on December 10 and closed at ITU on December 12. Religious Studies Chair Dr. Hafiz Ghani also coordinated closely with Dr. Bangash to organize the Forman portion of the conference.

The opening day program, convened by Forman graduate Abraham Murad from Oxford and moderated in part by Dr. Atiq-ur-Rehman from Forman, included the keynote address delivered by Cardinal Joseph Coutts, Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Karachi. Subsequent sessions covered themes ranging from Christian Identity to Christians in Education. Other highlights included a presentation by French researcher Dr. Paul Rollier on A Life Among Muslims: Christian Identity and Religious Difference in Lahore and an illuminating conversation on the legacy of “Pakistan’s Christian Chief Justice A.R. Cornelius” between Dr. Bangash and Jawwad S. Khawaja, Pakistan’s 23rd Chief Justice.

Parenthetically, as with many of our recent events, this conference garnered local media attention, including in Dawn (https://www.dawn.com/news/1877961) and The News (https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1260337-multi-layered-role-of-christians-in-pakistan-highlighted).

Finally, Forman’s Sociology Department, in partnership with the Forman Sociology Society, organized the Sixth Conference on Marginalized Populations on December 11. This year’s themes included the marginalization of females in the education sector, climate change, health and safety, and the marginalization of ethnic and religious minorities. Researchers from leading area institutions, including the University of Punjab, University of Management and Technology (UMT), Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), University of Home Economics, University of Sargodha, and the National College of Arts (NCA), delivered papers.

A special thanks to Dr. Sara Rizvi Jafree (Conference Chair) and Ms. Sana Shahid for their leadership and support in making this conference possible. Those interested in further information should contact the Sociology Department, which produced an excellent “Book of Abstracts” summarizing the contents of each paper delivered. Both “hard” and “soft” copies of the report should be available.

From the January 2025 Rector’s Update

One major highlight of a crowded Christmas season was the Third Annual Christmas Gala, held on December 6 and featuring 38 students from the Forman College Choir, under the direction of Miss Joy, performing fourteen carols in multiple languages (including English, Urdu, Punjabi, Dutch, Spanish, Korean, and Latin), all based on the theme Light of the World. Once again, the well-decorated Sinclair Hall was fully packed and included a number of high-profile guests from Lahore area schools, colleges, convents, and churches. Several Forman board members attended, along with the head of Public Affairs from the US Consulate.

Another highlight was the Christmas Celebration arranged by Forman’s Advancement and Alumni Office on December 12 in the Jim Tebbe Campus Center, bringing together alumni, faculty, staff, and special guests to celebrate the season. Bob Wetmore provided a thoughtful reflection on Advent, while Bishop Irfan Jamil served as Chief Guest. Carols, a Christmas Quiz, and remarks by Chief Marketing and Outreach Officer Ms. Badia Raza helped round out a wonderful evening.

A third highlight was the annual Christmas Party and Annual Alumni Reunion hosted by Forman’s Center for Public Policy and Governance (CPPG) on December 17. Held at night under the stars at the CPPG Resource Center lawn, the evening included carols, nostalgic reflections, interesting conversations, alumni awards, and a Christmas cake cutting ceremony. In addition, we welcomed CG Kristin Hawkins from the US Consulate to this occasion.

Yet another highlight was the Christmas Fest and Carol Singing organized by the Student Affairs Office outside the Jim Tebbe Campus Center, providing “an unforgettable day with excitement and entertainment” that also included an amazing sound and light show, described as a “first” for Forman. For my part, I have to acknowledge that the effect of the colors and the beams of light coming from the Campus Center were astonishing!

Thanks also to the Student Affairs Office for organizing Forman’s Christmas Sports Fest 2024 on December 17, bringing together students, faculty, staff, and their families for a variety of events, including running races, tug of war, and musical chairs.

Several local service organizations set up stalls on the Forman campus during the Christmas season, providing students, faculty, and staff with opportunities to purchase a wide range of handmade items, many related to the Christmas season. Examples include the Emmanuel Center, Help for the Helpless, and the women’s stitchery initiative associated with the TSA/FCCU partnership.

Numerous offices and departments celebrated this year’s festive season in a variety of ways, both large and small. I appreciated attending some, but by no means all of them, experiencing something of the vibrancy of a month that witnessed a long list of wonderful events, including the Christmas gathering organized by the Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics; similar celebrations hosted by the Physics Department, English Department, and Faculty of Education, the latter featuring a Kris Kindle celebration that included a Secret Santa gift exchange; and the Carol Service arranged by Forman’s Christian Life program: (https://youtu.be/_YNLKl_3rsM).

It was also my privilege to witness the Light of Hope Secret Santa gift-giving program arranged by the Forman Rotaract Society following the advice of Chief Information Officer Anthony Richards, an active Rotarian who arranged additonal assistance from his own Rotary Club. In addition, I was asked to distribute medals and certificates to several Light of Hope students who demonstrated excellence during a recent SMETA Visual Art Olympiad (SMETA is an acronym for Science, Maths, English, Technology and Art).

This year’s SMETA Visual Art Olympiad encouraged participants to bring beloved classics of English literature to life through art, in turn becoming the catalyst for artistic contributions based on iconic works such as Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland and The Chronicles of Narnia. Anaya Zaheer (Grade 10) won a Gold Medal for her outstanding artistic expression while Dua George (Grade 10) received a Bronze medal. Many other Light of Hope students of all ages also received Certificates of Merit and Appreciation for their work.

From the January 2025 Rector’s Update

Annual FCCU Christmas Celebration

On December 12, 2024, the Advancement and Alumni Office arranged The Christmas Celebration. It was a heartwarming and joyous occasion, bringing together alumni, faculty, staff and special guests to celebrate the spirit of the season.

The event began with a thoughtful reading from the Holy Bible, setting a reverent tone for the evening. The Advent Candles were lit, inviting blessings for the festive season and the year ahead, during which Dr. Robert Wetmore explained the significance of all of them.

The performers graced the occasion with beautiful carols, filling the room with festive cheer. Their soulful renditions set the stage for the Christmas message and blessings from the Chief Guest, Rt. Revd. Irfan Jamil.

The Rector, Dr. Jonathan S. Addleton, also addressed the gathering, offering his warm remarks and encouraging everyone to embrace the spirit of giving, kindness, and unity that defines Christmas.

A highlight of the event was the cake-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the shared joy of the occasion. The alumni once again delighted the attendees with more carols, adding to the festive atmosphere.

The Christmas Quiz engaged everyone, testing their knowledge of the holiday’s traditions and history, followed by remarks from Mrs. Badia Raza, CM&OO, who shared her thoughts on the importance of community and celebration during the festive season.

The Marketing and Outreach team delivered a stunning choral performance, leaving the guests with a sense of wonder and delight. The event concluded with dinner and networking, where attendees shared stories, laughter, and good cheer, creating lasting memories and strengthening the bonds within the Forman community.

It was truly an evening of warmth, unity, and celebration – reflecting the true essence of Christmas.

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Christianity and Christians in Pakistan Conference

The International Conference “Christianity and Christians in Pakistan” commenced on December 10, 2024, at Forman Christian College (A Chartered University) in Lahore. This prestigious event, collaboratively organized by the Department of Religious Studies, Forman Christian College, Kellogg College, the University of Oxford, the Asian Studies Centre, Afkar-e-Taza ThinkFest, and Information Technology University (ITU), brought together a distinguished group of scholars, practitioners, and leaders. Convened by Mr. Abraham Murad (Kellogg College, University of Oxford), Dr. Yaqoob Khan Bangash (ITU), and Dr. Atiq-ur-Rehman (Forman Christian College) who moderated the first day of the conference as well, the conference set a vibrant tone on its first day, offering a mix of compelling speeches, thought-provoking panels, and rich academic presentations.

The day began with a warm welcome from Dr. H. A. Ghani, Head of the Department of Religious Studies at Forman Christian College. Mr. Abraham Murad from Kellogg College, University of Oxford, then introduced the overarching themes and objectives of the conference.

The keynote address was delivered by His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Coutts, Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Karachi. Cardinal Coutts reflected on the notions of unity and Pakistani identity, including how these relate to the experience of Christians in the country from its beginnings until the present day.

Dr. Jonathan Addleton, Rector of Forman Christian College, followed with an inspiring account of the university’s history and its enduring contributions to society and academia in Pakistan and beyond. His remarks celebrated the institution’s pivotal role in shaping generations of scholars and leaders.

A dynamic panel discussion on “Christians and Education in Pakistan” was chaired by Dr. Keneth Pervaiz of Forman Christian College. The panel featured distinguished experts: Dr. Farhana Nazir (Christian Study Centre, Rawalpindi), Dr. Saleem Younas (Gujranwala Theological Seminary), Dr. ShanthiKumar Hettiarachchi (Minhaj University), Mr. Asher Javed (National Catholic Education Commission Pakistan), and Dr. Asher Johnson Khokhar (Forman Christian College). Together, they delved into the current state of education for Christians and Christian institutions, offering valuable insights and forward-looking strategies.

After lunch, the Honourable Mr. Justice (Retired) Jawwad S. Khawaja, Pakistan’s 23rd Chief Justice, engaged in an illuminating conversation with Dr. Yaqoob Khan Bangash, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at ITU. This session, titled “Pakistan’s Christian Chief Justice A. R. Cornelius: The Life and Legacy of a ‘Constitutional Muslim,'” celebrated the legacy of Chief Justice Cornelius, highlighting his contributions to constitutional law and his unique role in Pakistan’s history. The conversation included both personal and professional insights, emphasizing the enduring relevance of the Chief Justice’s character and life’s work.

The afternoon continued with remarks by Dr. Altaf Ullah Khan, Dean of Humanities at Forman Christian College. He synthesized the insights shared throughout the day, paving the way for two captivating academic presentations on Christians in everyday life.

The third session was moderated by Dr. Daniel Lanz of Forman Christian College in which Dr. Paul Rollier (CNRS-EHESS, France) presented a paper titled “A Life among Muslims: Christian Identity and Religious Difference in Lahore.” He focused on the life of a Christian who works as a sweeper in a mosque and lives among Muslim factory workers. Rollier’s portrayal and incisive analysis questioned common assumptions about Christian identity and the Christian community. Dr. Dominic Esler (LUMS) followed with “Christianity, Caste, and the Work of Purification in Pakistan.” This paper offered a rereading on caste research in South Asia, addressing the relation of caste to religion, ethnicity, and purity, and highlighting areas for further research.

The day concluded with reflections from Dr. Robert Wetmore (Forman Christian College), who emphasized the broader societal implications of the discussions and expressed gratitude to the participants for their invaluable contributions.

As the first day drew to a close, conveners, moderators, and presenters were commended for their vision, attention to detail, and ability to ensure a dynamic flow of ideas. Attendees left with a deeper appreciation of the rich history, challenges, and possibilities faced by Christians in Pakistan. The conversations and insights set the stage for further exploration over the next two days, promising a meaningful continuation of this vital dialogue. Both Faculties Islamic Studies as well as Christian Studies participated in it enthusiastically.

A special word of thanks goes to Chief of Staff Eileen Dass and other members of her team, including Sheeza James, for organizing this year’s Christmas Carol event on the top floor of the Jim Tebbe Campus Center, marking the start of the Christmas season at Forman. The event featured a spectacular performance by the Forman choir, introduced by QEC Director Sarah Suleman, which sang traditional carols in both English and Urdu. In addition, there were video reports from across the Forman campus, followed by the simultaneous “switching on of the Christmas lights,” featuring stars, angels, Christmas trees, reindeer, and Santa on his sleigh. December is a special time at Forman, and I look forward to more such events in the coming weeks!

Finally, let me conclude this issue of the Rector’s Update with a “Merry Christmas” to all who celebrate it. As I mention in my annual Christmas message to members of the Forman community, this time of year draws our attention to the love, compassion, and humility of Christ, as expressed in the Gospel of John: “And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.” It also serves as an important reminder to follow in His footsteps, showing love, compassion, and empathy toward others. In that spirit, may this Christmas season bring peace to your hearts, and may the New Year bring blessings to you and your loved ones, along with joy, renewal, and hope.

This is from the monthly Rector’s Update

Forman participated in the LUMS Homes Fixtures 2024, a prestigious event featuring both men and women competing in eleven different sports, including basketball, table tennis, netball, and futsal. Forman received the “Best Delegation” Award and achieved remarkable success, placing first in cricket and volleyball and second in football. Additionally, Forman earned gold and silver medals in the athletics category for their outstanding performance in the 100-meter sprint.

FCCU’s male futsal team secured second place at the Lahore Youth Festival 2024 after a closely contested match that was decided by a penalty shootout. The event was hosted by Beaconhouse National University.

Congratulations are also in order for the Forman tennis team, which earned third place in the Inter-Collegiate Tennis Championships 2024 held at Government College Lahore.

The Forman Sports Department organized the FCCU Open Intramural Championships 2024, drawing over 300 participants competing in badminton, tennis, table tennis, and volleyball. Dr. Gloria Calib, Associate Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, served as Chief Guest for this week-long event, which showcased the exceptional sports talent within the Forman community.

In college sports, the Computer Coyotes Seniors triumphed over the Afternoon Senior Cubs in the FC College Intramural Cricket Championship 2024, organized by the College Health and Physical Education Department and featuring 16 teams. Dr. Lubna Amer, College Coordinator, honored the event as Chief Guest.

The 12th Inter School and Inter College Games, also known as the “Punjab Olympics,” were held during the first week of November, with participation from 1,100 schools and colleges across the province. A special shoutout to our College athletes for their impressive performance, finishing third in several events, including volleyball, lawn tennis, table tennis, and taekwondo, as reported by Babar Kamil from our Sports Department.

Forman College organized the 2024 Intramural Table Tennis Championships, featuring 16 teams. Chief Proctor Muhammad Umer Chaudhry served as Chief Guest for the event. The Medical Cougars emerged victorious, claiming the first-place trophy, while the Afternoon Senior Cubs secured second place.

The College also hosted the 2024 Intramural Badminton Championships, similarly involving 16 teams. Dr. Muhammad Umar Bhatti, Head of the Biology Department, served as Chief Guest and distributed awards. The Newton Titans took first place, with Velte Hall finishing in second.

Additionally, Forman College participated in the Legacy Edition Colosseum, sponsored by Beaconhouse, alongside 19 other colleges. The tournament showcased multiple sports, where our College athletes excelled, securing first place in basketball, volleyball, and soccer, as well as second place in badminton.

Many readers of the Rector’s Update will be familiar with the impact that Forman Coach Brian Furches is having on the development of baseball in Pakistan, including the construction of Pakistan’s first purpose-built university baseball field (informally referred to as “The Field of Dreams”) on the Forman campus. He has also played a key role in building strong relationships with the Baseball Federation of Pakistan. As a result of these efforts, Coach Brian was recently invited to attend the Middle East Classic Baseball Tournament in Dubai, featuring teams from both South Asia and the Middle East, where Pakistan placed first. Additionally, Coach Brian was asked to coach the Afghan National Baseball team, which traveled from Kabul to participate in the event.

Finally, although several sports events have taken place over the last few weeks, I would be remiss if I did not mention that some events had to be cancelled or postponed due to the toxic smog enveloping Lahore at this time of year. One such event is the Women’s Sports Fest 2024, which will hopefully be rescheduled for a later date.

This is from the monthly Rector’s Update.

Forman’s ongoing partnership with Oslo Metropolitan University in Norway focused on “Peace Journalism” continues to grow from strength to strength. In November, that partnership included a two-day conference to which journalists and journalism professors from each of Pakistan’s four provinces were invited. As Dr. Altaf Ullah Khan who plays a key role in this initiative in coordination with Forman’s Department of Mass Communication commented afterward, the event served as “a testament to the power of collaborative learning and the shared commitment of promoting peace through journalism.”

A special word of appreciation to Assistant Professor of Management Maryyam Khan for bringing Shark Tank Pakistan to Forman, providing an opportunity for serious discussions on entrepreneurship, financing, and other key business topics while also further strengthening ties to Pakistan’s business community. A number of other leading universities competed with Forman to conduct this event, making me especially proud that Forman was given the opportunity to host it.

Forman’s Management School organized a workshop on Systematic Literature Review for Management and Social Sciences. Designed to strengthen the research capacity of our faculty, the event provided hands-on experience in systematic literature review techniques and featured Dr. Waris Ali, who has written more than thirty research papers and has advanced degrees from Middlesex University (UK) and the University of Waterloo (Canada).

A special note of appreciation to Syed Jaffer Gardezi in Forman’s Education Department for his role in launching impactful community service projects for our Education students. This initiative involves underserved communities and focuses on health, hygiene, and environmental conservation while also emphasizing the importance of education. Activities include interactive workshops, providing a dynamic learning environment aimed at fostering both curiosity and engagement among children.

In addition, Forman’s Education Department partnered with Beaconhouse to form an Evaluation Committee for fifth and sixth-grade STEAM projects. Led by Forman’s Ammar Husnain Khan, our Education Department enlisted four senior students with STEM expertise to work with younger students to address global issues, with a particular emphasis on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

While many previously scheduled campus activities were impacted by the toxic smog hanging over Lahore in November, several programs successfully transitioned to an online format. Among these was the seminar on Sustainable Fashion and Resource Efficiency in the Textile Sector hosted by Forman’s Environmental Sciences Department. This event featured speakers Saqib Shahzad (Head of Sustainability at Sapphire-Diamond Fabrics) and Ms. Iqra Inam (Head of Sustainability at Sapphire Textile Mills, Ltd.), who discussed aligning their organizations with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They also highlighted the evolving role of Pakistan’s textile industry in advancing environmental sustainability and achieving net-zero emissions.

Similarly, the seminar on Safeguarding the Future: Advances in Infection Control and Disease Prevention, organized by the Kauser Abdulla Malik School of Life Sciences, the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC), and the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD)/Pakistan Chapter, with support from UNESCO, also shifted online. This ensured the event’s substance proceeded as planned, providing participants with valuable insights into innovations in infectious disease prevention and control.

Looking ahead, I am delighted that Forman will host the first day of the much-anticipated three-day conference on Christianity and Christians in Pakistan: History, Identity, and Social Role, starting on December 10. The subsequent two days will be held at Information Technology University (ITU). Dr. Yaqoob Bangash, a former Forman faculty member now teaching at ITU, has been instrumental in organizing this event in collaboration with Forman’s Department of Religious Studies.

Additionally, I am pleased to announce that Forman will host the Fourth International Conference on Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences in late January 2025. Abstracts and poster presentations are invited on various topics, including Nanomaterials, Polymer Chemistry, Pharmaceuticals, Food Chemistry, “Green” Chemistry, and Natural Products. Those interested in participating can contact kashifmasih@fccollege.edu.pk for further details.

This is from the monthly Rector’s Update.

DEAN’S NOTE

In times of great conflict, peace is often seen merely as an alternative to war, reducing it to a tool for conflict mitigation. This perspective undermines peace’s originality and proactive essence. Peace exists independently as a sociocultural force—stronger than conflict—built on human actions that create order, harmony, and the essence of life on Earth.

Global journalism, as an instrument of peace and a safeguard for journalists, operates on similar principles. It fosters cultural processes that promote stability, tolerance, and safety. While it includes conflict resolution, its scope extends to restoring balance and harmony in societies.

In the communication age, global journalism is a transformative force, capable of driving meaningful change. Our efforts focused on exploring its potential through a critical examination of theory and practice, assessing its pros and cons, and amplifying youth perspectives from diverse regions of Pakistan.

This initiative is one of many steps toward creating a better world for present and future generations. It is the effort that matters, and this was a significant step forward—one of many more to come.

Workshop Inaugural

The inaugural session was graced by Dr. Altaf Ullah Khan, Dean of Humanities at FCCU, who delivered a compelling welcome address. He emphasized the urgent need for objective reporting in conflict zones and the importance of integrating global perspectives into local journalism practices to foster peace.

The event brought together educators, journalists, and media professionals from across Pakistan, representing institutions in Lahore, Quetta, Karachi, Kohat, Bahawalpur, and Peshawar. This diverse assembly reflected a shared commitment to advancing peace journalism and equipping media practitioners with tools for resilience and ethical reporting in volatile environments.

The workshop, moderated by Dr. Syed Muhammad Saqib, Assistant Professor in FCCU’s Department of Mass Communication, promises to delve into critical themes such as journalist safety, global perspectives, and the ethical challenges of reporting in conflict zones. With thought-provoking sessions and collaborative discussions, the workshop marks a significa