COMSATS Honours Best Teachers, Urges Faculty to Embrace AI-Driven Learning

BUTA 2025-26 awards recognise teaching excellence as Rector Raheel Qamar calls for greater student engagement and adoption of ‘Teaching 5.0’

Syed Naveed Hussain

ISLAMABAD: COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) has honoured outstanding faculty members under the Higher Education Commission’s (HEC) Best University Teacher Award (BUTA) 2025–26, with Rector Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar urging educators to embrace innovative teaching methods, strengthen student engagement and use artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance learning.

Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony held at the university’s Library Auditorium, Prof. Qamar emphasised that technology should complement, rather than replace, teachers, stressing that educators remain central to inspiring students, nurturing talent and shaping future generations.

Rector COMSATS University Islamabad graced the occasion as a chief guest. Highlighting the lasting impact of teachers on students’ lives, he shared how one of his own teachers had influenced his personal and professional journey.

Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar urged faculty members to embrace “Teaching 5.0” by strengthening direct engagement with students, promoting active learning and making effective use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. He emphasised that AI should complement teachers’ efforts rather than replace them, underscoring the continuing importance of educators in guiding and inspiring students.

Certificates and cash prizes were presented to the award recipients for 2025 and 2026. For BUTA 2025, Prof. Dr. Nadia Nawaz secured the first position, followed by Prof. Dr. Khurram Saleem Alamgir as first runner-up and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Awais Javed as second runner-up.

For BUTA 2026, Prof. Dr. Fahad Munir Abbasi won the award, while Prof. Dr. Saqib Zia was named first runner-up and Prof. Dr. Ahmad Naseem Alvi secured second runner-up position.

Both award winners shared their experiences and acknowledged the teachers who had inspired them to pursue careers in teaching. They also expressed gratitude to the university administration, colleagues and students for their continued support and encouragement.

The HEC Best University Teacher Award recognises excellence in university-level teaching and highlights the pivotal role of educators in shaping future generations. At COMSATS University Islamabad, faculty nominations are assessed through the university’s prescribed selection process in accordance with the HEC BUTA framework.

The evaluation considers several aspects of teaching excellence, including teaching philosophy, course design, assessment methods, classroom practices, technology integration, student mentoring and feedback.

The ceremony reaffirmed COMSATS University Islamabad’s commitment to recognising outstanding educators, promoting innovative teaching practices and enhancing the quality of higher education. The event concluded with a vote of thanks and a group photograph of the participants and award recipients