Islamabad, Apr 9, 2025: Habib University has set a new standard in higher education by introducing the Institute of Design Thinking, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership (IDEAL).
This innovative initiative aims to foster agile problem-solving, entrepreneurial mindsets, and collaborative leadership.
The official opening event, held at the university’s campus, included a keynote speech from President Professor Wasif Rizvi, along with presentations from Susan Giesecke, Director of Engagements at the Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology (SCET) at UC Berkeley, and Sarah Stein Greenberg, Executive Director of Stanford’s d.school and a member of Habib University’s Board of Governors.
IDEAL complements the university’s ongoing dedication to innovation, building on the success of academic hubs such as The Playground: Centre for Transdisciplinarity, Design, and Innovation, and The Horizon, a space designed to nurture collaboration and critical thinking.
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This new venture further positions Habib University as a pioneer in higher education, bridging the gap between academia and industry in a collaborative setting where students and professionals can jointly solve real-world problems.
Moreover, Habib University becomes the first institution in Pakistan to integrate design thinking into its academic framework.
During the ceremony, President Wasif Rizvi expressed, “How do we keep inspiring and cultivating engagement, community-building, and collaboration around learning, entrepreneurship, and innovation among our students, faculty, and industry? IDEAL represents the next chapter in creating a future-ready educational environment that’s committed to reinvention.”
Susan Giesecke, a seasoned expert in corporate innovation and global partnerships, emphasized the role of design thinking in enhancing creativity, adaptability, and cross-industry collaboration.
Sarah Stein Greenberg also shared her insights, stating, “When education is confined to traditional structures, it shapes our thinking in predictable ways. Creating a learning environment that supports flexibility and experimentation is crucial to unlocking new ways of thinking in both students and faculty.”
The event also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signaling strategic partnerships with key industry players.
These alliances will help incorporate real-world challenges into the academic curriculum, providing students with the practical skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
IDEAL envisions a redefined educational experience that merges executive training, collaborative innovation labs, and leadership development programs.
This dynamic approach enables both students and industry professionals to devise strategies that remain relevant and resilient in an ever-changing global landscape.
Attendees at the event expressed their excitement about the potential impact of IDEAL, expecting it to reshape the relationship between education and industry while nurturing the next generation of forward-thinking, compassionate, and innovative leaders.
With the launch of IDEAL, Habib University reaffirms its commitment to pioneering the future of higher education, ensuring that its students are not just prepared for the challenges ahead, but are actively shaping them.
