The Atlas Group Pledges Towards Naming of the Central Building at LUMS
The Atlas Group has made a generous contribution towards the naming of the Central Building at LUMS after their former Chairman, late Mr. Yusuf H. Shirazi.
Mr. Shirazi was one of the founding members of LUMS and served on its Board of Governors for several years. He was also a founder member of the Karachi Stock Exchange, Lahore Stock Exchange and International Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Mr. Shirazi had an illustrious career, and in recognition of his services was awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan.
To honour him a naming ceremony was held on August 31, attended by Mr. Ali H. Shirazi, President/Chief Executive, Atlas Battery Ltd., Mr. Iftikhar H. Shirazi, Chairman Board of Directors, Atlas Foundation, and Mr. Noor Ullah Hassan, CEO, Atlas Foundation.
Representing LUMS were Syed Babar Ali, Founding Pro Chancellor; Mr. Shahid Hussain, Rector; Mr. Abdul Razak Dawood, Pro Chancellor; Mr. Osman Khalid Waheed, Member, Board of Trustees; Dr. Arshad Ahmad, Vice Chancellor; and Ms. Nuzhat Kamran, Director, Office of Advancement.
This new space, named the Yusuf H. Shirazi Complex, will serve as a hub of intellectual exchange where faculty and students from across the University can come together and interact. The building will be a dynamic centre to hold classes, seminars, workshops, conferences, and various events. It will also be a place where the different research centres at LUMS can collaborate and lead the effort towards multidisciplinary research.
Remembering the late Mr. Yusuf H. Shirazi at the MoU signing ceremony, Syed Babar Ali said, “He was a person of tremendous courage and foresight. I hope this building will be a fitting tribute to his memory and the generosity of his sons and family.”
Mr. Ali H. Shirazi, speaking about his father, said, "This project will be a testament to the love he had for LUMS, and his dedication towards promoting education in Pakistan." Mr. Iftikhar H. Shirazi also reiterated the generosity of his father. “He used to say what comes from society, should go back to it. His vision also included stressing on education, especially for women.”
Mr. Dawood recalled the LUMS charter in which the Shirazi family was an original signatory; late Mr. Yusuf H. Shirazi helped set-up LUMS and believed that the most important thing needed in Pakistan was education.
Dr. Arshad Ahmad spoke about the functionality of the Central Building and the conversations had at LUMS to conceptualise it. “We wanted the most promising Centres at LUMS to be housed here. We asked our Centre directors to present their vision to make a difference in Pakistan, and on the basis of this, six centres were shortlisted.”
He also added that the Yusuf H. Shirazi Complex would become the hub of LUMS’ internationalisation efforts for students and researchers.
Other facilities housed at the Central Building include a 500-seat auditorium, classrooms, discussion and team rooms, student council and students’ centre, recording studio, radio station, Makers Lab and exhibition area/gallery, a cafeteria and faculty lounge.
LUMS has a long history of association with the Atlas Group which has contributed to the National Management Foundation, as well as scholarships for financially disadvantaged students.