This year, event featured Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi’s talk on why can’t we have Institutions like Oxford, Cambridge or Harvard in Pakistan. He went on to highlight that our educational institutions need to have a system of assessment that taps diversity of talents among the students. We need a culture in the classroom that generates an effective engagement between the teachers and the students. Students must take the responsibility towards innovations in the industry they work on. 

The event was attended by students of different universities including GCU Lahore, Kinnaird College, Punjab University and LCWU.

The event started with the introductory remarks of the Advisor Aqib Sikandar who highlighted the key initiative of “Going Paperless” and announced a whopping 80% reduction in paper consumption for TEDxGCULahore 2021 as compared to previous events.

The first session featured TED Talks from Jawad Raza, Monis Rehman and Yumna Majeed, who talked about the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on mental health, reduction in job opportunities and the lack of knowledge regarding space education in Pakistan. The three talks were followed by a networking break with refreshments and goody bags for both attendees and the speakers.

'You don't have to change a thing, the world could change its heart' was a message beautifully sung by Javeria Amin at the start of the second session. Faraz Talat, Mahnoor Fatima and Muhammad Ahsan delivered their talks highlighting issues like harassment, introducing change, and the obsession of society with fair skin. Bilal Akbar put the audience in fits of laughter with his hilarious stand-up comedy, wrapping up the second session.

Rawal Bhatti enthralled the audience with his amazing guitar performance. The event ended with the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi, presenting souvenirs to the TEDx speakers, performers, the organizer and the advisor. Mariam Ishtiaq, the organizer for TEDxGCULahore 2021 came up on stage to express a few words on the event. 

TEDxGCULahore 2021’s talks and performances will be available on TEDx’s official YouTube channel in upcoming days.