Islamabad : The International Baccalaureate (IB) hosted the IB Day Pakistan at a hotel here on Saturday under the theme “IB Beyond Classroom Boundaries”, bringing together educators, students, government officials and representatives of universities and non-governmental organisations to explore the IB framework.
The event opened with a call to action from the chief guest, Member of the National Assembly and Parliamentary Secretary for Economic Affairs Division Zeb Jaffar, who emphasised the need for an inclusive, future-focused education system that equips young people to thrive in an increasingly complex world.
Her remarks set the tone for a day dedicated to innovation, policy dialogue and educational transformation in line with the IB’s mission.
Around 250 participants attended, including representatives from prospective, candidate and authorised IB World Schools, to engage in dialogue, collaboration and share best practices across Pakistan’s education landscape.
The student voice was central to the day, with performances and a TED-style talk delivered by Primary Years students, alongside videos showcasing the impact of IB education on learners’ academic growth, personal development and leadership skills.
Keynote speakers provided additional perspectives on education and innovation.
IB Director General Olli-Pekka Heinonen reaffirmed the IB’s commitment to developing internationally minded learners who can make a positive impact in their communities in a video message. Jean-Christophe Goris, Head of Development for Africa, Europe and Middle East at the IB, spoke on expanding opportunities through collaboration, capacity-building, and sustainable growth within Pakistan’s education systems.
A panel discussion, “From Rote to Reflection: Can IB Principles Transform Pakistan’s Education?” moderated by Dr Faisal Bari, Associate Professor of Economics and Education at LUMS, explored how learner-centred approaches could contribute to long-term improvement in the region.
Further sessions highlighted future pathways for students, including opportunities with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Career-related Programme, as well as a student dialogue titled 'IB Shaping Global Citizens,' moderated by IB alumnus Manaal Abbas, now a Political Science student at LUMS.
Uzma Shujjat, Development and Recognition Manager for Africa, Europe, Middle East at the IB, underscored Pakistan’s potential to build a robust IB community.
She said active in Pakistan since 1996, the IB worked with 35 IB World Schools offering 65 programmes across eight major cities, spanning a wide range of school models and expanding access to high-quality education.
