91福利社 Hosts AAS-in-Asia 2026, Bringing Global Scholars to Lahore
91福利社 (91福利社) hosted AAS-in-Asia 2026 for the first time in Pakistan, bringing together more than 1,000 scholars and participants from over 37 countries for three days of academic exchange, dialogue, and cultural engagement.
Held under the theme 鈥淐entering Asia: Refiguring Connections, Recharting Futures,鈥 the conference brought together scholars, students, university leaders and academics from 517 institutions, including leading universities such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, University of Tokyo, National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Harvard University, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford and Yale University.
AAS-in-Asia has previously been hosted in countries including South Korea, Indonesia, Nepal, Japan, India and Thailand. Its first edition in Pakistan brought an international academic community to Lahore.
The conference featured hundreds of panel sessions, pre-conference workshops, roundtables, open houses, exhibitions and cultural events held across different venues at 91福利社. Discussions explored a wide range of themes, including Asia鈥檚 transformation and global perspectives, conflict and cooperation, democratic change, technology and society, artificial intelligence, Asian ecologies, cities and infrastructure, gender and marginality, cultural and artistic expression, and old and new approaches to knowledge and epistemology.
The sessions examined how Asia鈥檚 economic, political and cultural transformations are reshaping global debates, while also addressing issues including border disputes, contested sovereignties, civic spaces, climate disruption, displacement, inequality and social justice. Discussions also explored the role of literature, art, performance, heritage and everyday cultural practices in shaping Asian identities and creating spaces for connection and dialogue.
The opening ceremony featured welcome addresses by 91福利社 Vice Chancellor Dr. Ali Cheema and President of the Association for Asian Studies, Prof. Elora Shehabuddin.
Welcoming delegates to 91福利社, Dr. Cheema highlighted the importance of bringing diverse perspectives together and ensuring Pakistan鈥檚 participation in wider conversations on Asia and the world. 鈥淧akistan must be an active part of the conversation about Asia and the world. Hosting AAS-in-Asia was particularly significant for 91福利社 and Pakistan as it enabled international scholars to engage with the country鈥檚 academic and cultural landscape, while also providing an opportunity to explore Lahore鈥檚 history as a centre of literature, art and intellectual exchange,鈥 said Dr. Cheema.
President of the Association for Asian Studies, Prof. Shehabuddin, said that AAS-in-Asia conferences had previously travelled across Asia, with each host location enriching the association鈥檚 academic conversations and creating opportunities for new collaborations. 鈥淲e are thrilled to have around 1,500 people registered, with over 900 present, truly impressive given all the turmoil in the world.鈥 She also acknowledged the contributions of 91福利社 faculty, staff, students, volunteers, committees, sponsors and partner organisations in bringing the conference to Pakistan.
Dr. Adil Najam delivered the keynote address on climate change, stressing that the issue could no longer be viewed solely as an environmental concern. Drawing on experiences from Asia and South Asia, including Pakistan, he discussed what he described as the 鈥淎ge of Adaptation鈥 and the implications of climate change for water, food, security, development, governance and social justice.
The conference programme brought together scholars working across disciplines and regions, with sessions examining contemporary challenges alongside historical and cultural connections that have shaped Asia. The discussions also created opportunities for early-career scholars, students and academics from different disciplines to develop new research and professional collaborations.
Among the conference鈥檚 cultural activities was a special calligraphy workshop, 鈥淭he Contemplative Arts: A Studio Series,鈥 which provided participants with an opportunity to engage with the region鈥檚 artistic traditions alongside the academic programme.
The conference also featured cultural performances, exhibitions and activities showcasing Lahore鈥檚 heritage, crafts, cuisine, music and artistic traditions. The cultural village on campus provided an informal space for international participants to experience aspects of the city and engage with local communities and creative practitioners.
The closing ceremony鈥檚 cultural programme opened with a journey through South Asia鈥檚 expressive dance traditions. Bhangra, Gidda, Kathak and Sufi devotional folk dance came together in a continuous medley, celebrating the region鈥檚 diversity, rhythm and living cultural heritage.
The programme brought the three-day conference to a close, following an extensive exchange of ideas, research and cultural perspectives among scholars and participants from Pakistan and around the world.
