Saturday, 13th June 2026

The Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (RIPS), successfully organized an International Symposium titled “Paradigm Shift from Conventional to AI-Driven Pharmaceutical Innovations” on 13 June 2026 at the Gulberg Campus. Conducted in a hybrid format, the event brought together more than 90 participants, including faculty members, researchers, students, and healthcare professionals from across Pakistan.

The symposium aimed to bridge the gap between traditional pharmaceutical sciences and the rapidly evolving fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD), and data-driven research methodologies. The event featured distinguished international keynote speakers, an interactive workshop, and engaging discussions on the future of pharmaceutical research and innovation.

The proceedings commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the National Anthem and welcome remarks by the organizers. The inaugural session highlighted Riphah’s commitment to fostering a research-driven academic culture and emphasized the transformative role of artificial intelligence in modern pharmaceutical sciences. Dr. Azra Rafiq served as the stage secretary for the event.

A series of keynote addresses explored emerging developments in pharmaceutical innovation. Dr. Ali Atiq delivered a presentation on “Targeting Tumour-Associated Macrophage Plasticity in Immunotherapy,” discussing innovative therapeutic approaches in cancer immunotherapy and their potential clinical applications.

Prof. Dr. Long Chiau Ming presented an insightful session on “AI & CADD: Accelerating Cancer Drug Discovery,” highlighting how artificial intelligence and computer-aided drug design are revolutionizing oncology research and early-stage drug development. He also discussed the growing role of predictive toxicology models and open-source AI platforms in transforming pharmaceutical workflows.

In his keynote address, Prof. Dr. Zaheer-ud-Din Babar explored “Future Directions in Pharmacy Research and Practice,” emphasizing the importance of digital tools, AI-driven analytics, and international collaboration in strengthening pharmaceutical research and policy development, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

The symposium also featured a presentation by Dr. Sarfraz Ahmad on “PepComLibGen — A Web Server for Generating Custom Peptide Libraries for Computer-Aided De Novo Peptide Design.” He introduced participants to an innovative computational platform designed to support peptide drug discovery through advanced screening and optimization techniques.

A practical workshop titled “Finding the Right AI Tool for Research & Academic Writing” was conducted by Dr. Ayesha Fatima. The session introduced participants to AI-powered tools for literature reviews, manuscript preparation, citation management, and research data analysis. The interactive workshop provided valuable insights into the effective and ethical use of AI technologies in academic research and scholarly writing.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks, recognizing the contributions of keynote speakers, workshop facilitators, organizers, and participants for making the symposium a memorable and intellectually enriching experience.

Special appreciation was extended to Dr. Fareeha Anwar, Head of Department, RIPS Gulberg Campus, and Dr. Furqan Akhtar, Head of Department, RIPS Raiwind Campus, for their leadership, collaboration, and dedication in ensuring the success of the symposium. Their efforts reflected RIPS’ commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and impactful research.

Through initiatives such as this international symposium, Riphah International University continues to promote cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and technological advancement, preparing future healthcare professionals and researchers to lead innovation in the pharmaceutical sciences.