Dr. Muhammad embodies a dynamic blend of innovation and interaction in his pedagogical approach. As Director, Centre for Water Informatics and Technology, he has worked extensively on the most pressing issues in the water sector and has come up with solutions that are driven by innovative practices and sustainable technological interventions. His eclectic teaching methods involve leveraging diverse media, from poetry to field trips that ignite a robust connection between theoretical principles and real-world applications. His ability to clarify complex concepts through vivid storytelling and practical demonstrations enhances student comprehension and engagement. As one student puts it, “The best part of Dr. Muhammad’s course was the intuitive explanation of mathematical equations and visualisation of difficult topological concepts. I got to learn the magic behind robot motion planners and how a robot converts the real world into its play area.” Moreover, Dr. Muhammad's contributions to curriculum development have profoundly impacted the department, introducing unique courses that integrate advanced robotics with pressing sustainability challenges. He continues to inspire students and colleagues.

Dr. Raza is an outstanding teacher whose innovative teaching methods have profoundly transformed the learning landscape at LUMS. His efforts include redesigning the Machine Learning curriculum, making it accessible to a broader student body across various disciplines, and significantly increasing course enrolment. His students describe his instructional process, “First, he clarifies the big picture—what we want and why—then he dives deep into concepts to understand why and how things work. The big picture presented at the beginning helps one stay focused and not get lost while going through the details.” Dr. Raza’s work extends beyond the classroom through his extensive mentorship and development of faculty/staff workshops on the use of AI. His efforts have been pivotal in integrating AI and Machine Learning with traditional teaching and learning, and enhancing productivity and engagement across LUMS. This makes him an asset to our community.

Ms. Cheema has redefined the intersection of legal education and social advocacy. Her dedication to teaching is exemplified by her innovative course designs, notably in public law and human rights. An interactive and participatory approach is at the heart of her teaching, as expressed by her students: “The active learning approaches such as hands-on/experimental, collaborative/group work, flipped classroom, and project-based learning were praised among us students for keeping us engaged, promoting critical thinking, and facilitating a deeper understanding of the material.” Her commitment extends beyond the classroom through significant contributions to legal scholarship and the community. Her notable involvement in the Pakistani Feminist Judgments Project highlighted her drive to merge academic rigour with social justice. Her holistic approach to education and advocacy, combined with her academic insight and practical application, makes her stand out as a pillar of innovative legal education at LUMS.

Dr. Jaleel exemplifies the fusion of theoretical rigour with practical application in his teaching. That is why he is one of LUMS' most celebrated teachers. His transformative approach in courses like Feedback Control Systems and Multi-agent Systems stimulates intellectual curiosity and prepares students for real-world engineering challenges. His courses “employ a combination of theory and do not shy away from programming, despite being EE courses.” Dr. Jaleel's integration of complex control systems with tangible examples like autonomous robotics demonstrates his commitment to applicable learning. He impacts student career trajectories through meticulous mentorship, guiding them towards groundbreaking research and top graduate programmes. His active participation in curriculum development and innovative course design continues to elevate the educational standards of the Department of Electrical Engineering, making him a cornerstone of the LUMS academic community.

Ms. Akbar stands out for her exceptional commitment to legal education. Her pioneering course designs, incorporating community-engaged learning and rigorous academic inquiry, have notably advanced the scholarship of legal studies at LUMS. Joining as a Teaching Fellow and rising to her current role, she has developed a diverse array of undergraduate courses for the Law School. Her approach intertwines critical inquiry with a deep focus on inclusivity and legal pragmatics. Her teaching philosophy emphasises the real-world application of law, preparing students to tackle pressing legal issues with a sharp, analytical mindset. In the words of one of her students, “Ms. Akbar’s course was helpful in making us understand the Pakistani legal system and how it works. The ongoing contemporary debates were discussed vigorously in class and participation was encouraged keeping us abreast with current affairs.” Ms. Akbar's ongoing research in critical areas such as honour crimes and labour conditions informs her teaching, bringing a rich, research-informed perspective into the classroom. This dedication, while enriching her students' learning experience also continues to shape the landscape of legal education in Pakistan.

Winner 2023

Dr. Tariq is an outstanding teacher who is passionate about economics and engaging his students as partners in learning. His thoughtful course planning, openness to student feedback, the energy he brings to his classes, and his willingness to continue to grow as a teacher continue to have a profound impact on students. As one student said, “Would like to say thank you ….I have genuinely learnt so much from you and have truly developed an interest in the subject!” Dr. Tariq’s mastery of his subject matter, his empathetic nature and deep understanding of classroom dynamics make him such an effective teacher. Skilled at bringing academic rigour, compassion, and innovation in equal measure to his lectures, ‘...the magic of an Adeel Tariq classroom’ is palpable. Dr. Tariq commitment to teaching and the profound impact he has had in inspiring students’ truly puts learning first at LUMS.

Winner 2023

If we were to describe Dr. Faisal’s teaching in three words, they would be: engaging, inclusive, and accessible. In his student’s words, “He goes above and beyond to make sure the class progresses together as a pack, and no one is left struggling behind.” Dr. Faisal makes an extra effort to help students build a strong foundation before introducing complex ideas in biology. In the words of another student, “He believes, if you can visualise it, you understand it. He reiterates concepts until they become crystal clear.” Dr. Faisal has supervised several student projects, and PhD theses; his students’ placements in top-notch graduate programmes speak volumes of his effectiveness as an educator. He is guided by the idea that student learning ‘is often closely tied to their interest and excitement’ so he seeks to inspire, champion, and mentor them in each and every class he teaches. Last summer, Dr. Faisal pioneered teaching in natural settings and immersed over 50 students in field-based learning in Skardu. His commitment to excellence makes him one of LUMS' most cherished teachers.

Winner 2023

Collaborating with students is at the core of Dr. Zulfiqar’s teaching philosophy. What makes her an excellent teacher is her ‘ethics of care’, as expressed by her students: “It takes real courage to open yourself to students and invite them to engage in discussions as collaborators and teach them that their lived experience, their concerns about the world, and their interpretations are equally solid and hold value.” Dr. Zulfiqar is known for cultivating intellectual curiosity and promoting holistic well-being among her students. She uses multidisciplinary approaches when teaching policy and research methods that encourage healthy debate and co-learning in her classes. Dr. Zulfiqar is deeply committed to educational leadership and student advising, as one of her students put it, “Conversations with her during office hours often required a lot of emotional labour on her part, which she did for hours on end, twice a week, during the semester for everyone in our class.” Dr. Zulfiqar’s dedication to education is truly commendable and personifies the values we cherish at LUMS.

Winner 2023

Mr. Waheed is an outstanding psychology teacher who focuses on ‘treating students with respect and empathy and encouraging them to introspect and grow’. His practice of putting students first by offering immense personalised support and feedback on their learning is often highlighted. As one student put it, “His ability to check up on people individually and have casual chats makes him stand out...individual feedback, criticism, and praise is a key part of teaching that is often overlooked. So, thank you for that.” Mr. Waheed takes a pedagogical approach that is grounded in experiential and reflection-based learning, leading by example, and innovating to help students integrate theory with real-world contexts. He uses a variety of technology tools and is involved in co-working with students on their projects, using participatory design for his courses, and creating innovative case studies from personal experiences. Mr. Waheed’s unwavering dedication to student engagement and learning is making a sizable difference in their lives, and that is why he is one of LUMS' most celebrated teachers.

Winner 2023

Dr. Qazi is an exceptional teacher, known for his extraordinary efforts at helping students learn how to learn and become skilled problem-solvers in computer science. In each class he creates an inclusive environment with multiple avenues for all students to engage in learning and share their opinions. His students see him as ‘a joy in class’ as they say, “He is enthusiastic, well prepped, loves students joining in and just all in all a wonderful person to have taught us.” His classroom interventions, including class activities involving acting out concepts and innovative use of polling platforms, have significantly improved student engagement, participation, and overall learning, making his courses some of the most popular. Dr. Qazi’s personalised approach to mentoring students through the rigour of developing their academic skills has had a ripple effect – many of his students have gone on to publish in top-tier conferences, pursued graduate studies at top schools worldwide, or joined the industry. This is a testament to Dr. Qazi’s effectiveness as an instructor.

Winner 2022

Dr. Hamad Alizai is an exceptional computer science teacher who makes enduring contributions to his peers’ and his students’ learning. His commitments to improving teaching through the Learning Institute demonstrates exceptional educational leadership. To his students, Dr. Hamad “…has the gift of teaching. He has the rare ability to truly light up the classroom with inspiration.” Whether it is through peer teaching, novel discussion techniques, authentic assessments, or technology, he engages students at every level and inspires them with unwavering support and creative energies. Dr. Alizai works meticulously to give students space in class to collaborate, engage, and learn. Frequent student feedback informs his teaching and is another indication that he puts student learning first. As one student highlighted, “It is not always easy to change students' lives, so it takes a great teacher like Dr. Alizai to do so. He is a true role model for all his students, and I learned the meaning of learning’ from him.” Dr. Alizai is deeply dedicated to learning and to sharing that learning to help others to grow and develop – and this makes him one of LUMS most treasured teachers.

Winner 2022

Dr. Haniya Azam is recognised by her students and colleagues at LUMS and young students who participate in Math Circles, as an exceptional teacher dedicated to helping all students master mathematics. She identifies students’ anxiety about mathematics and then takes them on a journey to build their understanding of (often abstract) mathematical concepts. She does this through meticulous design of her courses, engaging lectures and demonstrations, and a range of assessment tasks and feedback. Dr. Azam invests in building learning environments inside and outside the classroom where all students feel welcome to engage, to question, and feel supported to learn. As one student said, “Dr. Azam is one of those educators who takes interest in and supports students’ personal and professional development. For an institution like LUMS where students come from diverse backgrounds, instructors like Dr. Azam make this journey invigorating and rewarding.” This is a true testament to Dr. Azam’s unwavering commitment to going above and beyond to help her students to learn.

Winner 2022

Dr. Imran Cheema’s philosophy of teaching is grounded in his overarching goal to “stimulate joy in students’ learning experiences” and cultivate “ah ha” moments where their learning becomes visible. As one student proudly shared, “he inculcated this sense of intellectual and scientific curiosity which was highly infectious… he would encourage me to cross more boundaries in my intellectual journey and expand my knowledge.” Dr. Cheema’s excellence in teaching electrical engineering has been recognised by students and colleagues for its academic rigor and how he engages students to help them learn complex mathematical and scientific concepts. Whether he is using real life examples, visualisations and demonstrations or metaphors, he aims to reach all students and help them to learn. Dr. Cheema’s incorporation of varied assessment techniques and his responsiveness to regular student feedback on his teaching and course design help to ensure that student learning is at the heart of his teaching. He is without a doubt one of LUMS’ most highly effective instructors, and a caring mentor who enthusiastically inspires students to love complex subjects of engineering and science.

Winner 2022

Dr. Rahman Saleem is an outstanding science teacher who uses innovative pedagogical approaches to keep students excited about learning Chemistry. He makes complex theoretical content meaningful to students by encouraging multi-dimensional, out-of-the-box thinking through a variety of assessments and engaging learning activities. From tracing the historical evolution of concepts, to highlighting cutting-edge research and dominant unanswered questions, he transforms theory into applicable, real-world problems for his students to solve. As one student commented, Dr. Saleem, “…was one of those few instructors who focused on understanding rather than covering the course content” and has been a kind and caring mentor whose “…one-to-one interaction did not stumble even in quarantine as he was always one message away…” His commitments to student mentorship and partnership are clear indicators of Dr. Saleem’s dedication to helping students become the next generation of scientists who can make a difference in Pakistan and beyond.

Winner 2022

Dr. Zahid Ali is guided by the idea that teaching is his “gateway to learning”. He continuously ignites his students’ natural curiosity to learn through engaging storytelling that makes economics come to life. Dr. Zahid has also developed a unique problem-solving model that guides students in approaching complex and abstract concepts through intuition, mathematical foundation, and graphical representation. His novel teaching methods and attention to giving feedback are making a sizable difference to his students’ learning. As one student can attest, Dr. Zahid has “changed my perspective towards macroeconomics… and [we] respect you so much because you have given us a level of knowledge that we wouldn't have found anywhere else. I've never had a teacher put in such level of effort in making sure that their students get the concepts.” The support and mentoring that Dr. Zahid has offered students and colleagues over his 20 years at LUMS has been exceptional. His dedication to meaningful and enduring learning is unparalleled – he has truly evolved to be one of the most outstanding student-centered teachers at LUMS.

Winner 2021

Ali Raza is a historian specializing in the history of modern South Asia. He received his DPhil from the University of Oxford and was a research fellow at the Leibniz-Zentrum Moderner Orient in Berlin. His research and teaching interests include the social and intellectual history of South Asia, comparative colonialisms, decolonization, and post-colonial theory.

Ali Raza's work has appeared in Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East; South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies; Itinerario; South Asian History and Culture; and Contemporary South Asia. He is also the co-editor of The Internationalist Moment: South Asia, Worlds, and World Views, 1917-39 (Sage 2014), and the author of Revolutionary Pasts: Communist Internationalism in Colonial India, forthcoming with Cambridge University Press.

Winner 2021

Dr. Zubair received his B.Sc. (First-class Hons.) degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Engineering & Technology (UET), Lahore, Pakistan in 2008. He received his Ph.D. degree in Engineering from the Australian National University of Canberra, Australia in Aug. 2013. Previously, he was working as an Assistant Professor in the Electrical Engineering Department, UET Lahore. Prior to that, he worked as a Research Fellow (Post-doc) with Prof. Rodney A. Kennedy in the Research School of Engineering, Australian National University (ANU), Canberra, Australia. He was awarded University Gold Medal and Industry Gold Medals from Siemens and Nespak for overall outstanding performance in Electrical Engineering during his undergraduate studies. He was also a recipient of an Endeavour International Postgraduate Award during his Ph.D. studies.

Winner 2021

Angbeen Atif Mirza is an Assistant Professor at the Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law, LUMS. She holds a B.A., LL.B from LUMS (2008), and an LL.M from the University of Michigan Law School (2010). She is the Faculty Director for the LUMS Office of Accessibility and Inclusion. She also serves on the Board of Digital Rights Foundation, a cyber rights organization.

Angbeen’s primary area of interest lies in clinical legal education, specifically street law, live client clinics, and access to justice work. She supervises a street law programme at SAHSOL where students are responsible for weekly legal awareness sessions with secondary school students, and is working at the law school to build its clinical programmes. 

She has been involved in human rights work in various capacities including public interest litigation, research, advocacy, as well as trainings for judges and police staff, awareness sessions for students and preparation of community outreach material.

Winner 2021

Muhammad Tariq received his PhD in Molecular Cell Biology from Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research in Switzerland. During his PhD, he worked in Jerzy Paszkowski's lab specializing in epigenetics of gene silencing in Arabidopsis.

He led the development of departmental vision and mission, curriculum and recruitment of one of the finest team of faculty in Pakistan who specializes in Cell and Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Microbiology and Biochemistry. In addition, he also led the development of biology research and teaching programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. He has developed first epigenetic research lab in Pakistan which uses Drosophila to teach basic concepts of genetics, epigenetics and development. He has taught several courses at LUMS which include Genetics, Developmental Biology, Molecular Biology, Gene regulation and Epigenetics, Fundamentals of Molecular Techniques and Methods lab in Molecular Biology.  

Winner 2021

Momin Uppal received the B.S. degree in electronic engineering with highest distinction from GIK Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Pakistan, in 2002. He received the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Texas A&M University, College Station, in 2006 and 2010, respectively. He spent the summers of 2009 at NEC Labs of America, Inc., Princeton, New Jersey as a research assistant, and the summers of 2012 at Texas A&M University Qatar as a visiting researcher. He has been associated with the LUMS School of Science and Engineering since October 2010.