The Institution of Electrical & Electronics Engineers Pakistan (IEEEP) – Karachi Centre is all set to host the 39th Multi-Topic International Symposium on April 23rd and 24th, 2025, at Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi, according to an official communication shared with the media.
This prestigious annual event is expected to bring together leading consultants, professionals, and experts from electrical, electronics, and allied engineering disciplines. However, a key point of reflection will be whether the symposium truly addresses the most pressing challenges facing engineering education and the local engineering industry in Pakistan.
One major concern is that engineering education is rapidly losing its appeal among youth in Pakistan. What actions policymakers must take to reverse this trend remains a critical and unanswered question.
Secondly, while engineering industries exist in the country, locally manufactured engineering products are seldom available in domestic markets. Despite persistent rhetoric promoting local manufacturing and supportive ecosystems, there appears to be a lack of serious policy-level action both from the government and the engineering fraternity to back these claims.
A third issue that needs attention is the long-discussed need to bridge the gap between academia and industry. While hundreds of promising projects are initiated in Pakistani universities, few ever reach the commercialization or industrial application stage. Whether this year’s symposium will set a practical model for academia-industry collaboration remains to be seen.
The program leaflets suggest that the organizers have attempted to incorporate current demands and challenges. However, the true test will be in the quality of discussion and engagement by dignitaries, such as Chairman of the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Engr. Waseem Nazir, who has been facing challenges in leading the council, among other notable guests.
The symposium will reportedly cover a broad range of topics, including:
• Energy markets and sustainability
• Industrial solutions and innovation
• Digital transformation
• Emerging technologies
Yet, there is a noticeable absence of topics related to climate change, particularly technologies and solutions addressing inter-provincial mistrust over water distribution and river systems. This omission could be seen as a missed opportunity to tackle a critical issue affecting national cohesion and long-term sustainability. In the past, the institution has addressed such concerns, often including dedicated sessions and panel discussions to explore these topics in depth.
The agenda includes various sessions relevant to professionals, project managers, EPC contractors, manufacturers, and engineering students. The opening session will feature PEC Chairman Engr. Waseem Nazir as the chief guest, while President IEEEP, Engr. Tahir Basharat Cheema, will also address the gathering. Khalid Waleed, Research Fellow at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), is scheduled to speak on the topic of “Power Sector’s Capacity Trap, CBAM, and CTBCM Conundrum.”
Over its two-day duration, the conference will host five technical sessions, including a dedicated student session. The final session will be held in a panel discussion format, bringing the event to a close with interactive debate and reflections.
Whether these discussions will lead to tangible outcomes or remain theoretical remains to be seen—but the engineering community will be watching closely.
