LUMS to Host AAS-in-Asia 2026, Welcoming Global Scholars to Lahore
Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) will host AAS-in-Asia 2026 from September 25 to 27, 2026. The event will become the first international humanities and social sciences conference of its scale to take place in Pakistan. More than 1,000 scholars from over 37 countries will attend the gathering. The conference will provide a global platform for academic dialogue and strengthen Pakistan’s presence in international research.
The event will take place under the theme, “Centering Asia: Refiguring Connections, Recharting Futures.” Researchers from leading universities, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, the University of Tokyo, the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, and Yale, will participate. Registration for the conference is now open.
Lahore to become a global academic hub
AAS-in-Asia has previously taken place in South Korea, Indonesia, Nepal, Japan, and India. However, its arrival in Pakistan marks a significant milestone for both LUMS and Lahore. The conference is expected to strengthen the country’s academic reputation and encourage greater international collaboration.
Dr. Ali Khan, Bilquis Dawood Chair and Dean of the Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities and Social Sciences at LUMS, said the event reflects Pakistan’s academic potential. He added that the conference offers an opportunity to present Lahore as a vibrant center of learning and research. Furthermore, he said international visitors will experience the city’s rich intellectual and cultural heritage firsthand.
The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Adil Najam, President of WWF International and a globally recognized scholar. His research covers international relations, environmental policy, development, and South Asian affairs.
Conference to support Pakistani researchers
The conference program will include sessions on history, political science, anthropology, literature, economics, and the arts. As a result, scholars will exchange ideas, build partnerships, and discuss issues shaping Asia’s future.
Pakistani researchers will also benefit from direct engagement with leading academics from around the world. In addition, the Scholar Support Fund will help researchers from across Pakistan attend and present their work. Many participants will showcase their research before an international audience for the first time.
LUMS organized the conference in partnership with the Association for Asian Studies (AAS). Dr. Krisna Uk supported the collaboration, while Senior Project Manager Tajwar Awan led planning, outreach, sponsorship, communications, and event operations. Organizers hope every participant leaves Lahore with a stronger understanding of Pakistan’s academic excellence and cultural richness.
