On January 26, 2026, Habib University hosted a ceremony on its campus to formally rename Tidal Pool, a collaborative learning space located in The Horizon, as Meezan Bank Talaab-e-Hikmat, following its endowment by the Bank. The event marked a shared commitment to nurturing spaces that foster dialogue, learning, and the exchange of ideas within higher education.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Irfan Siddiqui, Founding President, Meezan Bank, reflected on his longstanding association with Habib University, which began as a parent and later evolved into that of a supporter.
Emphasizing the importance of character building alongside technical education, he cited the example of Oxford University, where character education was introduced with the belief that technical competence alone does not prepare individuals to act responsibly or effectively in the real world.
“Character development is also extremely important for our students because at the end of the day, they would go and work in the outside world and create impressions based on how good they are as human beings,” he said. “So, I think here, you’re [Habib University is] doing a very good job.”
Mr. Irfan Siddiqui also assured continued support for Habib University across different areas in the future.
Habib University President Mr. Wasif Rizvi expressed his gratitude to the leadership of Meezan Bank and acknowledged the vision of Mr. Irfan Siddiqui. Situating the partnership within a broader intellectual and historical context, he drew a parallel between Habib University’s postcolonial orientation and Meezan Bank’s position as the country’s first Islamic bank, noting that both institutions emerged as deliberate alternatives to dominant western systems.
“That’s where I think these two institutions converge, and that convergence is something that, in Meezan Bank, we like to feel good about,” he remarked.
Mr. Wasif Rizvi further reflected on the historical consequences of European dominance, noting that centuries of colonial rule had led to the erosion of indigenous knowledge systems, cultures, and moral frameworks. In this context, he described the establishment of Meezan Bank and becoming the leading bank in the country as a significant achievement.
“Mr. Irfan proved that such an institution can be created which is not dependent on the intellect and the system [of the West]. And it’s remarkable what Meezan Bank has been able to achieve,” he said. “We are truly inspired by it. Habib University has a similar story.”
As part of the ceremony, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the leadership of Meezan Bank and Habib University, followed by the presentation of a cheque by the donor bank, formally recognizing the endowment. The ceremony concluded with a ribbon-cutting led by Meezan Bank’s Founding President, its Serving President and Chief Executive Officer, and the President of Habib University, officially renaming the space as Meezan Bank Talaab-e-Hikmat.
Inspired by the concept of contained bodies of water that nurture vibrant ecosystems, Meezan Bank Talaab-e-Hikmat, located on the fourth floor of The Horizon, is a dedicated space designed to support collaborative learning, thoughtful discourse, and the exchange of ideas, encouraging conversations that can evolve into transformative, real-world impact.
