The LUMS Syed Ahsan Ali and Syed Maratib Ali School of Education (SOE) welcomed its first class of MPhil Education Leadership and Management (ELM) and conducted a two-day long Orientation Session from August 30-31, 2018. The Orientation Session was designed to welcome the incoming class and help them smoothly transition into the life of graduate studies. The Session included an overview of the three MPhil courses offered in the Fall semester, introduction of SOE administrative departments, a discussion on Paulo Freire’s book, ‘Pedagogy of the Oppressed’, and an interactive session with Syed Babar Ali, founder and Pro Chancellor of LUMS. The Session also featured an exciting tour of the campus, followed by lunch at the LUMS Executive Dining Hall, where students, faculty and staff engaged in a candid conversation with each other.
The welcome note by Dean SOE, Dr. Tahir Andrabi, focused on the essence of dynamism and asked the students to reimagine and redefine their perspectives while studying at the School. He said, “You should be ready to engage in discussion and understand that learning happens in corridors; for it is a spontaneous and informal process.” He identified the students as market creators, and primarily focused on inculcating the value of innovation amongst students.
Dr. Mariam Chughtai, Associate Dean SOE, introduced the highly intellectual faculty members to the students, which included Dr. Faisal Bari, Dr. Gulab Khan, Dr. Tayyaba Tamim, Dr. Yasira Waqar, Dr. Rabea Malik and Dr. Qaiser Khan.
The course content for MPhil ELM was also discussed. Students were told that the course content comprises of a study on interdisciplinary theoretical perspectives on education, leadership and management in the education sector, along with a focus on qualitative and quantitative research methods. The programme is designed to allow students to integrate intellectually with each other and understand the various dynamics involved in ensuring excellence in the education sector of Pakistan and beyond.
The students also engaged in groups and with faculty members to discuss the premises and binary themes of Freire’s book. This activity kick-started the learning process and initiated the intellectual journey of pursuing the MPhil ELM degree. LUMS also upheld its tradition of educating its incoming batch on various university policies. The outgoing Dean of Office of Student Affairs (OSA), Mr. Yasser Hashmi, gave a session on plagiarism, sexual harassment, mental health and upcoming challenges of graduate life. He urged the students to adopt a proactive approach and consider themselves as professionals in an educational landscape, in order for them to excel academically and emotionally. SOE also arranged a detailed session for students with Mr. Mazhor Chinoy, Director OSA, to discuss various academic and non-academic facilities provided by LUMS. Moreover, an information session was also held by Mr. Waris Ali Arslan from the Library, Ms. Ayesha Zia from the Registrar Office and Mr. Tariq Ahmed Sheikh from the Information Systems & Technology Department.
The Orientation concluded with an interactive session between students and Syed Babar Ali, as well as a ribbon cutting ceremony for the commencement of the MPhil programme. The session was also attended by senior members of the LUMS Management Committee, including Dr. Parvez Hassan and Mr. Shahid Hussain (member board of trustees and management committee), and Deans of other Schools at LUMS. Elaborating on the renaming of the School, Syed Babar Ali expressed that the name of the school is his way of paying homage to the people who have made an impact on his life and hopes that the students of SOE will contribute further to make Pakistan a great place.
The session concluded with the hope that twenty years down the lane, the School of Education will be a dynamic and innovative leader in the educational landscape, and the students will uphold ethics and positive values during their pursuit of transforming this society for better.
