10th Multidisciplinary Research International Conference (MRIC-2025)

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

University of Wah (UW) organized the 10th Multidisciplinary Research International Conference (MRIC-2025) from 08-09 October 2025, under the theme “Connecting Ideas Across Disciplines for Global Development.” The two-day event brought together a distinguished gathering of national and international scholars, researchers, and students for the exchange of ideas, innovations, and collaborative research across a wide range of academic disciplines. The conference commenced with welcome remarks by Prof. Dr. Amjad Hassan, Director, ORIC, UW, who highlighted the institution’s decade-long journey of academic excellence, its expanding network of international partnerships, and its growing prominence in global rankings and research productivity.

MRIC-2025 featured a panel of international keynote speakers from China, Japan, Türkiye, UAE, UK, and the USA, who shared their insights on emerging global challenges, technological frontiers, and sustainability. Prof. Dr. Atif Azad from Birmingham City University, UK, spoke on “Trustworthy AI in Adversarial Settings: Simple, Effective Strategies,” while Prof. Dr. Lal Khan Almas from West Texas A&M University, USA, discussed “Empirical Research and Policy Recommendations for Sustainable Agricultural Development.” Prof. Dr. Serdar Unlu from Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Türkiye, presented his work on “Conservation Laws and Collective Vibrations in Nuclei,” and Prof. Dr. Tomonori Kato from Hosei University, Japan, shared his research on “Pneumatic Actuators for Advanced Manufacturing Systems.” Likewise, Prof. Dr. Tuncay Bayram from Technical University, Trabzon, Türkiye, delivered a presentation on “Predictive Modeling of Fallout Distribution from Attacks on Iranian Nuclear Sites Using Regional Wind and Climate Data.”

Other distinguished speakers included Dr. Azra Meadows from the University of Glasgow, UK, who spoke on “Multidisciplinary Research and Its Translational Impacts on Sustainable Development Goals,” Dr. Cao Zhihong from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, who addressed “Sustainable Development and the Green Belt and Road Initiative,” and Dr. Han Likun from Fudan University, China, who presented on “The Impact of the 4.2 ka Climate Event on Ancient Asian Civilizations.” Dr. Rao Rao Su from Guangzhou University, China, discussed “The Spatiotemporal Evolution of the Water Network in the Silk Road Arid Region,” while Dr. Muhammad Zubair from the University of Sharjah, UAE, explored “Smart Energy Decisions with Machine Learning: A Pathway to Net Zero 2050.”

In addition to the international experts, the conference was enriched by presentations from several distinguished national keynote speakers, who shared their pioneering research and perspectives on contemporary issues. Prof. Dr. Shafiq-ur-Rehman, Vice Chancellor, University of Haripur, delivered an insightful talk on “Good Projects vs. Bad Projects,” while Prof. Emeritus Dr. Jehan Bakht, Vice Chancellor, University of Agriculture, Peshawar, discussed the “Evaluation of Nanoparticles Prepared Using Extracts of Trillium, Govanianum, and Angelica Glauca.” Prof. Dr. Syed Habib Bokhari from COMSATS University Islamabad spoke on “Bioeconomy in a Digital World,” and Prof. Dr. Ghulam Mujtaba Shah, Pro Vice Chancellor, Hazara University, Mansehra, highlighted “Wild Edible Plants Enhancing Food Security and Climate Resilience in the Himalayas.” Prof. Dr. Yasar Ayaz, Pride of Performance, NUST Islamabad, delivered an engaging presentation on “Artificial Intelligence on the Leading Edge,” followed by Prof. Dr. Muhammad

Tariq Khan from FAST-NUCES Islamabad, who explained “From Black Box to Glass Box: The Rise of Interpretable AI Models in Critical Infrastructure.” Prof. Dr. Saeed Khan from Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, discussed “Pandemic Preparedness and Beyond: Strengthening Public Health Labs and Health Security through Research and Innovation,” and Prof. Dr. Faisal Nouroz from Hazara University, Mansehra, spoke about “Genomic Blueprints of Mobile Genetic Elements in Plants.”

This year’s MRIC received 183 abstract submissions from across Pakistan, of which 128 were selected for presentation and 40 accepted as full-length research papers. Researchers and students from Abbottabad, Malakand, Multan, Buner, Sialkot, Lahore, Karachi, Dera Ghazi Khan, Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Taxila actively participated. The presented studies spanned multiple disciplines, including Engineering, Computer Science, Basic Sciences, Social Sciences, Management Sciences, and Biosciences. The technical sessions, held across various venues of the University, focused on sustainability, artificial intelligence, biomedical innovation, environmental resilience, and social development- all aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

During the closing ceremony, Prof. Dr. Shafiq-ur-Rehman, Vice Chancellor, University of Haripur, urged researchers to “work smart rather than hard” in addressing the challenges of the developing world. Prof. Dr. Cao Zhihong from China emphasized the significance of international collaboration and research mobility, noting that globally trained scholars have been instrumental in driving China’s growth and innovation. In his concluding address, Prof. Dr. Jameel-Un Nabi, Vice Chancellor, University of Wah, commended the Organizing Committee for the successful execution of the conference and appreciated the enthusiastic participation of faculty members and students. He presented shields to the keynote speakers and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to fostering a culture of research-driven education, innovation, and multidisciplinary collaboration. The 10th Multidisciplinary Research International Conference (MRIC-2025) once again reaffirmed the UW’s unwavering dedication to research excellence, innovation, and sustainable development through global academic partnerships and cross-disciplinary engagement.