Soul of UOL explores identity, resistance, and mental health through dramatics
Language is often taught through structure, grammar, and formal communication, yet some of its most powerful dimensions emerge through expression, performance, and storytelling. It was this intersection between creativity and learning that shaped “Soul of UOL, Theme-Based Dramatics (English), Spring 2026”, organised by the Centre of Skill Development and Leadership (CSDL), The University of Lahore (UOL).
The initiative aimed to integrate performance-based projects, including theatrical performances and scriptwriting, into the English curriculum. The broader objective was to strengthen students’ English language delivery, communication skills, confidence, and emotional expression through experiential learning.
The event commenced with an address by Dr Afia Khalid (Associate Professor and Head, CSDL), who shared the vision behind the initiative. She emphasised the importance of performance-based learning in developing not only communication skills, but also creativity, confidence, and emotional awareness among students. Her remarks positioned theatre not merely as entertainment, but as an educational tool capable of encouraging self-expression and critical engagement.
The programme then moved into a series of theatrical performances written and performed by students. The first play, We Sinful Women, written by Ms Ashna Saghir, a student of BS Media and Mass Communication at the School of Creative Arts (SOCA), explored themes of societal expectations, gendered struggles, identity, and resistance. Through emotionally layered performances, the play reflected on the realities faced by women within contemporary social structures.
The event also featured a musical performance that complemented the themes of vulnerability and isolation, adding a reflective and emotional dimension to the overall experience.
The second theatrical presentation, It Was My Mental Health, written by Mr Abdullah Babar, a student of BS in Animation and VFX at SOCA, focused on psychological wellbeing, emotional struggles, and the mental health challenges experienced by university students. The performance encouraged empathy and awareness, drawing attention to conversations around mental health that often remain underrepresented within academic spaces.
What distinguished the event was its ability to transform drama into a space for dialogue on social and emotional realities. Rather than limiting theatre to performance alone, the initiative encouraged students to engage with complex themes through language, creativity, and lived experience.
The concluding remarks were delivered by the chief guest, Dr Shamaila Asad (Director UOL Wellbeing and Professor and Head, Lahore School of Behavioural Sciences (LSBS), UOL), who appreciated the students’ efforts and highlighted the significance of creative platforms in promoting emotional growth and personal development.
The initiative was led by Ms Faiza Liaqat (Lead Resource Person for Soul of UOL and Lecturer at CSDL).
