Educational institutions are not merely degree-producing factories; they are also instrumental in shaping the cultural and intellectual values of a society. The recent Mushaira (poetic symposium) held at UET (University of Engineering and Technology) has once again highlighted the undeniable truth that the literary grooming of the younger generation and their interest in serious poetry cannot be overlooked. This Mushaira not only reflected the refined taste of the students, but also shattered the misconceptions long propagated in literary circles. For some time now, there has been a prevailing narrative that today’s youth are only interested in cheap jokes, superficial poetry, or the commercially-driven and culturally harmful “trending” poets of social media, and that it is only these few performers who attract audiences.

UET’s Mushaira proved this notion completely baseless. The large number of enthusiastic young attendees who listened intently to serious poetry was clear evidence that the educated and conscious segment of our youth is weary of substandard literature. These young people prefer thoughtful, artful verses over content that merely goes “viral.” The credit for the revival of meaningful and genuine Mushairas in universities, and the success of this particular event, goes foremost to UET’s Vice Chancellor, Dr. Shahid Munir. He has made the revival of literary traditions in educational institutions a priority. Dr. Shahid Munir is not just the head of the university but also a visionary academic leader, whose services span from Jhang to Mianwali and throughout Punjab. He has illuminated the path of knowledge in every city he has served and, as VC of UET, he has taken practical and constructive steps daily to elevate the institution’s global ranking. Through this year’s Mushaira, he has reaffirmed that the promotion of literature and the arts is also a duty of educational institutions.

Dr. Munir is also a keen judge of talent. Wherever he has served, he has valued capable, dedicated, and principled individuals by making them part of his team and utilizing their potential for institutional benefit. One such valuable member of his team at UET is Rana Tanveer Qasim—a long-serving, outstanding, honest, and bold journalist and intellectual, known for defending the ideological and social values of the nation. His impeccable reputation and constructive role are well recognized across Lahore. The success of UET’s Mushaira cannot be separated from the social awareness, national insight, and tireless efforts of Dr. Rana Tanveer Qasim. His sincere endeavors turned the event into a memorable occasion.

The presence of renowned educationist, assertive columnist, and scholar Naeem Masood further enhanced the stature of the event. Just as Dr. Shahid Munir nurtured the University of Jhang from a seedling into a thriving and fruitful tree, the city of Jhang will always remain grateful to him. In recent years, the destructive forces of global corporate culture have unleashed a wave of morally degrading trends—such as MeToo, Aurat March, literary festivals, and indecent poetry gatherings in universities. This alarming situation has often been ignored. But thankfully, this year’s UET Mushaira was successfully reclaimed from groups that had previously dominated such events through state influence, cheap sensationalism, and plagiarism disguised as poetry.

This marks a praiseworthy example for other universities to follow. This Mushaira could be the first drop of rain, signaling a hopeful revival in other academic institutions as well. We hope that such literary and cultural programs will cultivate a taste for quality literature among the youth and encourage a shift from the superficiality of social media towards depth and meaningful expression. By organizing this event, Dr. Shahid Munir and his team have proven that education and literature are not adversaries but rather complementary forces. Going forward, such Mushairas should not only continue but also expand, so that the literary abilities of our youth can flourish, and they may receive intellectual and social nourishment through poetry.