ACARI 2025 Concludes in Lahore with Landmark Declaration and Handover to Saudi Arabia for 2027

Lahore, Pakistan – The second edition of the Asia–Middle East–Africa Conference on Academic and Research Integrity (ACARI 2025) concluded triumphantly at the University of Lahore, reaffirming the region’s commitment to upholding academic and research ethics in an era of accelerating technological change.

Bringing together over 150 on-site delegates and numerous virtual participants from across the AMEA region and beyond, the three-day event marked a major milestone in cross-border collaboration for academic integrity. Hosted in partnership with the Punjab Higher Education Commission, Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad, and key academic institutions, the conference served as a vibrant platform for policy dialogue, institutional sharing, and forward-looking strategies.

The Lahore Declaration, released at the conclusion of the event, called on regional academic institutions and policy bodies to adopt unified approaches in promoting transparency, ethical research practices, and responsible use of emerging technologies such as generative AI in education. The declaration emphasized the need for culturally sensitive frameworks, robust research oversight mechanisms, and inclusive academic practices to protect the integrity of both scholarship and learning environments.

Keynote sessions featured dignitaries such as Mbwarabi Kame, Kenya's Minister of Vocational Education; Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan; and Muhammad Mepeza, representing Uganda’s Ministry of Science and Technology. Their presence underscored the importance of academic integrity as a shared priority across national borders.

Conference sessions explored pressing themes including AI and academic writing, ethics in higher education governance, and regional accreditation standards. Among the highlights were panel discussions led by global experts and workshops that offered hands-on learning about AI-assisted workflows and integrity-driven educational design.

In a symbolic closing ceremony, the ACARI conference key was officially handed over to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with Dr. Muaawia Hamza announced as Chair of ACARI 2027, to be held in KSA. This passing of the torch signifies a continued regional commitment to fostering dialogue and innovation rooted in integrity.

Dr. Zeenath Reza Khan, Dr. Salim Razi, Dr. Shahid Soroya, and local host team members expressed deep gratitude to all participating institutions, student volunteers, and organizing partners whose efforts brought the conference to life. Special thanks were extended to the Turnitin AI Engineering Team, Studiosity, and the University of Lahore for their sponsorship and contributions.

As the region looks ahead to ACARI 2027, the spirit of Lahore’s declaration will continue to guide collective action and shared responsibility in upholding the values that define quality, ethical education and research.