The LUMS MBA class of 95 starts the Rumman Scholorship to honour the memory of their batch mate Rumman Akhtar Siraji.
Rumman Akhtar Siraji was the first Bangladeshi to join the MBA class of 95, which constituted of 67 students. Remembered by his friends and colleagues as a calm and friendly person, Rumman dreamt of getting into the management cadre of a Bangladeshi company, BEXIMCO. After completion of his MBA degree at LUMS, Rumman did succeed in achieving his dream but unfortunately passed away five years after graduation.
In early 2016, the family of an alumni of MBA 95 reached out to LUMS to start a scholarship fund. On encouragement from Dr. Ehsaan ul Haque, professor of Marketing at the Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB), LUMS, the project received unprecedented support. The alumni of MBA 95 successfully raised significant funding in the initial phase of the project. The namesake scholarship not only aims to honour Rumman’s legacy but to also provide support to two deserving and bright MBA students by paying a partial scholarship to students who qualify for full or partial financial assistance under LUMS Financial Aid Programme. Students from minorities and SAARC countries will be preferred.
Reminiscing about Rumman his class fellow Shariq Anis (Class of MBA 95) said, “It is people who have a quiet presence, that are missed, when they are no more. When I do remember Rumman, I remember him with fondness, his love of life, his passion his easy familiarity and sociability. Rumman was a part of all of us.”
Talking about Rumman’s kind nature, Tariq Masud (Class of MBA 95) said, “There are few people who leave an impression on you through their acts of generosity, Rumman was one of them. Honouring his memory with the launch of a scholarship fund is a true recognition of his persona.”
Ruman actively stayed in touch with his class fellows and his alma mater after graduation. His family had been a great supporter of LUMS, and Rumman wanted to ensure that other young students could also carry their dreams forward through pursuing a highly coveted degree in an international university. While Rumman is no more amongst us, his scholarship fund will continue to support and show the path to the deserving for years to come.
