The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) hosted the 1st University Advisory Board (UAB) Meeting on its premises from Wednesday, January 30, 2019 to Saturday, February 2, 2019. The four-day event marked the beginning of important discussions for the future of the University between members of the University Board and senior members at LUMS.
Dr. Arshad Ahmad and the Deans of the Schools along with senior faculty members played host to the esteemed members. The University Advisory Board members who had flown in to attend the august gathering included Dr. Nancy J. Adler, Dr. Philip Altbach, Dr. Khalid Aziz, Dr. David Bloom, Dr. Denise Chalmers, Dr. Mehmood Khan, Dr. Greg Moran, Ms. Leah Rosovsky, Prof. Nicholas A. Robinson and Dr. David Wilkinson.
All members are distinguished in their fields. Dr. Nancy J. Adler is S. Bronfman Chair in Management at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Dr. Philip Altbach is J. Donald Monan, S.J. University Professor and director of the Center for International Higher Education in the Lynch School of Education at Boston College. Dr. Khalid Aziz is the Otto N. Miller Professor Emeritus of Energy Resources Engineering, Stanford University. Dr. David Bloom is Clarence James Gamble Professor of Economics and Demography in the Department of Global Health and Population at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Dr. Denise Chalmers is Professor Emeritus in the field of higher education, teaching and learning. Dr. Mehmood Khan is PepsiCo’s Vice Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer of Global Research and Development. Dr. Greg Moran is Professor and Provost Emeritus at the University of Western Ontario, Canada. Ms. Leah Rosovsky is Dean’s Administrative Fellow at Harvard Business School. Prof. Nicholas A. Robinson currently teaches at Pace University where he holds the titles of University Professor on the Environment; Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law Emeritus; and Co- Director, Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies. Dr. David Wilkinson is a Distinguished University Professor and the Provost & Vice-President, Academic at McMaster University.
On the day of their arrival, the guests were invited by Pro Chancellor, Syed Babar Ali, to the Mubarik Haveli (Naqsh School of Arts), Bazar-e-Hakeeman, Bhati Gate, for a warm welcome dinner where they acclimatised themselves to the Lahore winter. The next day began with a walk around campus that was led by Hattaf Ayub, Student Council President and Ms. Hiba Iqbal Zakai, Manager Campus Climate Unit. This first-hand interaction with the student council president and the manager was quite interesting for the guests since they got to know the details about the student activities at LUMS. Later on Syed Babar Ali greeted them and discussed the direction for the University’s future. “LUMS is a comprehensive, research intensive learner centered institution building leadership capacity in education and we will continue to take it to further success as we go forward”, said Dr. Ahmad. Following this, Dr. Arshad Ahmad, Vice Chancellor LUMS, updated the guests about the vision of the University.
Over their stay at LUMS, the guests were taken around to the Schools by the respective Deans. The Advisory Board also met the Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE) Advisory Board and the Management Committee (MC) led by Dr. James Wescoat, Advisory Board, SBASSE. The UAB met the Governance Committee and discussed how to take the vision of LUMS forward. This session was led by Dr. Tariq Jadoon and Dr. Turab Hussain. A thoroughly interactive session on Transdisciplinary Education was also part of the meeting agenda. Led by Dr. Arshad Ahmad and the Deans, this was a highly engaging dialogue. Later on, Dr. Ahmad discussed in detail the Advancement agenda and what is actually required to take the University forward. Special mention was given to admissions and an overview of the financials was also provided so the guests could understand the current standing of the University and where it needs the most support. A very intensive session on Measures of Excellence and University Rankings, led by the Managing Committee was also attended by the members. The last day before the guests departed, was a rather lively affair. The UAB members were taken on a tour of Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Wazir Khan Mosque and Royal Bath in the Old Walled City. Dinner was served at the Haveli Restaurant, Food Street Lahore.
For all the guests, the entire sessions were full of interactive debates about the future of the University and they all agreed to readily support LUMS in its endeavours. Throughout the sessions, it was reiterated that LUMS can and will transform the trajectory of this world. Each of our five Schools work together, converging disciplinary traditions and expertise to its research traditions. There was much to learn from each other and we look forward to hosting the UAB members next year.
