More than 500 people attended Verse ’26, a student-led event organised by MediaVerse in collaboration with Al Baraka Bank (Pakistan) Limited at the University of Karachi.
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The event brought together personalities from media, politics, business and academia to discuss how awareness, understanding and a positive mindset can help people navigate an increasingly unpredictable world.
Organised by students of the university’s Department of Mass Communication, the event was held under the theme “Control in Chaos” at the Professor Saleemuzzaman Siddiqui Auditorium of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS).
The event was held under the guidance of MediaVerse Founder and Editor Syeda Mona Batool Taqvi. It provided students with an opportunity to apply their academic knowledge through practical media activities. The third edition of the MediaVerse magazine was also launched during the programme.
Verse ’26 Promotes Awareness and Inclusivity
The event opened with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthem. In collaboration with CODA Pakistan, a group of deaf students presented the national anthem in sign language.
Professor Dr Saadia Mahmood, Chairperson of the Department of Mass Communication, formally inaugurated the event.
Speaking about the theme, chairperson said the growing sense of chaos and destruction in the world had inspired the concept behind Verse ’26.
“The world around us has become overwhelmed by chaos and destruction, making it difficult to maintain balance. This very situation inspired the concept of Verse ’26: ‘Control in Chaos,’” she said.
Dr Saadia Mahmood praised the students for their diverse perspectives and voluntary contributions to MediaVerse. She said their willingness to go beyond their academic commitments made the initiative distinctive.
MediaVerse Highlights Students’ Role in Community Development
MediaVerse Creative Advisor Waqar Hussain delivered the keynote address, highlighting the organisation’s activities and initiatives over the past year.
He said MediaVerse had supported the professional development of Mass Communication students, contributed to the well-being of people with disabilities and addressed challenges arising from an increasingly chaotic environment.
Professor Dr Muhammad Haris Shoaib, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, also encouraged the students and wished them success in their future endeavours.
He highlighted the role of digital media in shaping people’s experiences, noting that online platforms carry large volumes of information, including graphic content.
He suggested that sharing calming and constructive content could help counter the negative effects of this information overload.
“In today’s world, digital media has overflow of information, supplemented with graphic content. This brings chaos around us, and publication of soothing content help overcome this,” he said.
Asad Umar, Saife Hassan and Ali Khan Join Panel Discussion
A major highlight of Verse ’26 was a panel discussion moderated by Rabia Mugni, founder of Fuchsia Magazine.
The panel included director and actor Saife Hassan, actor Ali Khan, content creator Usama Nasir and former federal finance minister Asad Umar.
The discussion focused on how clarity of thought, awareness and a positive outlook can help people respond to uncertainty and make informed decisions.
Asad Umar encouraged young people to view uncertainty as an opportunity rather than something they must always try to control.
He also discussed how extensive engagement with the digital world can create separate online identities, potentially contributing to anxiety and confusion in personal life.
Usama Nasir shared his experience of maintaining a distinction between his online persona and private life.
“I presented the best version of my personality on social media, and throughout this process, my personality also evolved. To maintain balance amid this chaos, I made sure that my online identity did not affect my personal life,” he said.
The discussion encouraged students to reflect on the relationship between digital identities, personal well-being and the challenges of navigating modern life.
A standout moment of the day was the Verse Talk segment, where Junaid Akram, the Pakistani comedian and content creator famously known as Ganji Swag, joined MediaVerse as Verse Talk guest speaker. His talk was followed by a lively Q&A session, where attendees asked how he manages his own chaos and balances work-life with a clear vision.
Sign Language Interpretation Makes Event Accessible
Accessibility was another important feature of Verse ’26. In collaboration with ConnectHear, all segments of the programme were interpreted into sign language, allowing deaf participants to follow the speakers, performances and discussions.
The collaboration reflected MediaVerse’s focus on inclusion and broader participation in academic and cultural activities.
By combining student-led initiatives, discussions with public figures and accessible programming, Verse ’26 provided a platform for students to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences.
The event’s theme, “Control in Chaos,” highlighted the importance of maintaining perspective, developing awareness and using creative thinking to respond to uncertainty in an increasingly complex media environment.
