Celebrating Alumna Shaza Khawaja’s Appointment as Minister of IT and Telecom

LUMS and the SDSB Luminites Association welcomed BSc ‘10 alumna and the current Minister of State for IT and Telecom, Ms. Shaza Khawaja, back to her alma mater for an exclusive dinner on May 18, 2024. The dinner was attended by Mr. Anwar Kabir, President of the SDSB Luminites Association; alumni from the Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB); faculty from the Department of Computer Science; Mr. Shahid Hussain, Rector; Dr. Tariq Jadoon, Provost; Dr. Walther Schwarzacher, Dean, Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE); Ms. Nuzhat Kamran, Director of Advancement at LUMS; and Mr. Baber Majid Bhatti, MS ’03 alumnus and CEO, National Information Technology Board.

Mr. Kabir extended a warm welcome to all attendees. He appreciated Ms. Khawaja’s efforts and sincere motivation for advancing the IT and Telecom sectors. He also highlighted the pivotal role of LUMS in fostering collaboration with alumni across various sectors, particularly the IT industry, and stressed the importance of sharing leadership insights within this rapidly growing landscape. 

Vice Chancellor, Dr. Ali Cheema also commended Ms. Khawaja’s remarkable transformation from a LUMS student and instructor to a pivotal government leader. “It is an incredibly proud moment to see Shaza in this important leadership role.” 

He praised her dynamic contributions to the IT and Telecom sectors and reaffirmed his support for the endeavours of all LUMS alumni. “This is a university that has produced amazing talent, and that is in the form of faculty—we have some amazing colleagues—and we also have the technology to be at the frontier of change. We have people who are vested in understanding the economy to give ideas on how that change actually happens. If we want to take Pakistan out of this hole, we have to create an ecosystem that promotes productivity and innovation. With you, I see a lot of hope. Let’s make the effort to translate that hope into impact.”

Ms. Khawaja captivated the audience with her story, detailing her rise within the government and her transformative years at LUMS. "LUMS is home. I joined in 2006, returned as a Teaching Assistant, progressed to a faculty member, and taught here until 2018. LUMS has been instrumental in my development; it's a life-changing place for anyone closely associated with it. As a student, I was active in sports, participating in 11 teams, captaining two, and representing LUMS in numerous competitions. The growth I experienced and the memories I cherish from LUMS, especially the enduring friendships, have profoundly shaped my life."

She expressed pride in seeing her students excel in all walks of life. "Wherever I go, I see my students thriving. It's especially heartening to see them in the civil service—they are the hope I hold for Pakistan's future." Ms. Khawaja also shared the Prime Minister's initiative, through the public-private partnership authority, which allows her ministry to hire consultants. "I am particularly proud when the Prime Minister says we should hire LUMS graduates across all areas," she remarked.

Discussing her current role, she highlighted significant initiatives aimed at advancing Pakistan’s IT and Telecom industries. "I want LUMS to step up and join us in our efforts to improve Pakistan. I would greatly appreciate LUMS' support in all facets of the ministry."

Mr. Bhatti addressed the audience and spoke about the transformative potential of digitalisation on economic development. “We need to focus on three key areas: digital services and societal integration, digital economy, and digital governance. The depth of research and innovation emanating from LUMS is a result of its commitment to pushing technological and governance boundaries. We are in critical need of advisory and consulting services, particularly in research and development; LUMS is in the position to act as a pivotal player driving transformative change.” 

Rector, Mr. Hussain reflected on the collective achievements of the attendees across diverse fields. He advocated for a progressive mindset, urging a departure from rigid regulatory frameworks. Expressing gratitude for the participants’ invaluable contributions, he expressed eagerness to foster continued collaboration, reaffirming his commitment to supporting their ongoing endeavours.

The evening was an opportunity for alumni to connect with each other and faculty members. It was a special night that celebrated an alumna's achievements and brought the LUMS community closer together.