Rector urges faculty to embrace “Teaching 5.0”, engage students and leverage AI
Islamabad, October 2026: COMSATS University Islamabad held the prize distribution ceremony for the HEC Best University Teacher Award (BUTA) 2025–26 on Friday at the Library Auditorium, recognizing teaching excellence and honouring faculty members for their contributions to higher education.
The Rector, COMSATS University Islamabad, Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar, TI, was the chief guest. Highlighting the lasting influence of teachers, he shared how one of his own teachers had shaped his life. He urged faculty members to embrace “Teaching 5.0” through direct student engagement, active learning and effective use of artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing that AI should complement rather than replace teachers.
Certificates and cash prizes were presented to the following awardees:
• BUTA 2025: Prof. Dr. Nadia Nawaz (Winner), Prof. Dr. Khurram Saleem Alamgir (1st Runner-Up), and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Awais Javed (2nd Runner-Up).
• BUTA 2026: Prof. Dr. Fahad Munir Abbasi (Winner), Prof. Dr. Saqib Zia (1st Runner-Up), and Prof. Dr. Ahmad Naseem Alvi (2nd Runner-Up).
Both winners shared their experiences and acknowledged the teachers who inspired them to pursue teaching, expressing gratitude to the university, colleagues and students for their support.
The HEC Best University Teacher Award recognizes excellence in university teaching and highlights the vital role of educators in shaping future generations. At CUI, faculty nominations are evaluated through the university’s prescribed selection process in accordance with the HEC BUTA framework, which considers teaching philosophy, course design, assessment, classroom practices, technology integration, student mentoring and feedback.
The ceremony reaffirmed CUI’s commitment to recognizing teaching excellence, promoting innovative pedagogical practices and strengthening the quality of higher education. It concluded with a vote of thanks and a group photograph.
