Welcome to the May edition of Habitus! As the Class of 2025 prepares to graduate, their final year projects reflect the depth of their interdisciplinary learning and the culmination of their transformative journey. We showcase the best of student and alumni work, imbued with our reparative ethos and a social consciousness. We’re honored to welcome Dr. Marcia Hermansen as the first Lady Fatima Endowed Faculty Chair, marking a milestone in the study of women and divinity. With the launch of IDEAL, we’re building bridges between academia and industry. Our community engagement efforts continue to expand access to quality education for deserving students. This issue celebrates the passion, progress, and purpose that define the Habib University experience.
Featured Section
In the Aftermath of Escalation: A Geopolitical, Ecological, and Moral Reckoning
In this powerful message, President Wasif A. Rizvi responds to the recent Pakistan-India ceasefire, urging the Habib community to remain vigilant, ethically grounded, and committed to truth, ecological justice, and intellectual leadership in turbulent times.
SOARING SUCCESS
Meet Ali Murtaza Sohail: The Talented Creator of the popular Khayal Series
Ali Murtaza Sohail, a Communication and Design student, enamored by the uniqueness of the Liberal Core curriculum, was driven by a desire to bring Habib’s classroom experiences to life, thus Khayal was born: a series of ‘thought portraits’ showing faculty up, close, and personal. His story speaks of a passionate student of film drawn to the complex yet demanding notion of the art of visual storytelling that he says, “mirrors our modern experience.”
Final Year Project Showcase: Real-World Innovation with Global Impact
At Habib University’s Final Year Project (FYP) Showcase 2025, held on May 17, graduating students presented innovative, solution-oriented projects. The event reflected the university’s core values of critical thinking, experiential learning, and social responsibility. Students addressed real-world challenges across disciplines, transforming academic knowledge into impactful action and demonstrating the power of interdisciplinary education in shaping meaningful change.
Driving Digital Inclusion: Arooma Naqvi’s Mission to Empower Women in Pakistan
Arooma Naqvi, our Social Development and Policy alumna, is committed to dismantling barriers that prevent women from thriving in a rapidly changing world. Through her work in digital inclusion, she addresses systemic challenges and actively creates spaces where women can flourish. As Program Manager at CaterpillHERs, she designs and leads programs that empower women to navigate the digital realm confidently, unlocking new opportunities for professional and entrepreneurial growth.
FOSTERING INTELLECTUAL GROWTH
Launching IDEAL: A Bold Step Towards Future-Ready Education
In a world defined by rapid technological advancements and evolving global challenges, Habib University continues to pioneer innovation in higher education with the launch of the Institute of Design Thinking, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership (IDEAL). This groundbreaking initiative marks a significant step in the University’s commitment to promoting agile problem-solving, entrepreneurial thinking, and collaborative leadership among students and industry professionals alike.
Welcoming Dr Marcia Hermansen as the Lady Fatima Endowed Faculty Chair
Renowned globally for her expertise in Islamic Studies, interfaith dialogue, and comparative religion, Professor Hermansen’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for academic inquiry at Habib University. With her extensive research background in Religious Studies, History, Literature, and Philosophy, she will play a pivotal role in enriching the Comparative Humanities program this fall, fostering dialogue, and shaping new perspectives on the intersection of faith and gender.
Faculty Reflections: Dr Asad Ur Rehman on South Asia from the Margins
Dr. Asad Ur Rehman, Assistant Professor in the Social Development and Policy program at Habib University, co-edited and contributed to South Asia from the Margins: Transformations in the Political Space (Routledge, 2025). “This volume takes a bold, interdisciplinary approach,” he writes, “centering South Asia’s geographic and social peripheries—regions and communities often excluded from dominant academic and policy narratives.”
Cultivating connections, nurturing community growth
Ilm & Barakah: Reviving the Islamic Ethic of Enduring Giving
From leading banks to tech firms and philanthropic foundations, Habib University’s expanding Mohsineen community is shifting the paradigm of corporate partnerships: from short-term charity to long-term investment in human potential and institutional development. In this spirit, on March 12th, Habib University and Faysal Bank co-hosted a landmark Ramzan gathering that reconnected modern philanthropy with its deep Islamic roots to host Ilm & Barakah—an evening of reflection, purpose, and shared responsibility.
SpurSol and Habib University Co-Create Opportunity for the Next Generation
In a historic collaboration, SpurSol, a forward-thinking B2B tech company with a strong mission to foster a self-reliant Pakistan, has partnered with Habib University to establish Named Scholarships in the Computer Science and Communication & Design programs. This partnership represents a shared vision for empowering students through both financial support and long-term mentorship. With its commitment to accessibility and excellence, Habib University redefines how industry can play an active role in building a more equitable society.
Seat 1C: A Journey of Survival and Strength with Zafar Masud
On April 28, Habib University proudly hosted a compelling book talk featuring Zafar Masud, President and CEO of the Bank of Punjab, who discussed his latest book, Seat 1C. The event attracted a diverse audience eager to hear Masud’s heartfelt journey of surviving the tragic plane crash on May 22, 2020, which claimed 98 lives. The book talk solidified Habib University’s commitment to fostering meaningful dialogues, serving as a platform for critical thought, and commemorating life experiences that inspire change.
Investing in Permanence: A Night of Purpose at Habib University’s Community Gathering
Habib University hosted its Annual Community Event, called “Strengthening Institutions Through Reshaping Philanthropy.” The evening brought together visionary philanthropists, business leaders, and academics united by a shared purpose: building sustainable, high-quality higher education in Pakistan. At the heart of the event was a powerful message: philanthropy must move beyond temporary acts of charity and evolve into long-term commitments that strengthen institutions.
