Talks and Interviews

Provost Kamran Asdar Ali, distinguished faculty members, our guests from China, dear parents, guardians and our cherished students, Asalam o Alakum.

It has worth reminding ourselves that no person is entirely “self-made”. Today, with enormous pleasure, we share in the accomplishments of our students who are on the Dean’s Honor List. I’d like to therefore begin by first acknowledging the parents and family members here and thank you very much for everything you do to support your loved ones. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me to applaud our families.

There is also the LUMS family. Our staff and the teachers travel side by side with students. They open intellectual doors and provide support. We have distinguished faculty here who do pioneering work in family and constitutional law, human rights, equality and justice and have been mentors to the next generation of lawyers in Pakistan. I want to thank our faculty and staff for their service!

I would now like to take the next few minutes to share with you a few stories that provide a glimpse into what these young women and men have achieved to reach this milestone. These are by no means the only stories worth sharing. There are many, many, more.

Haanya Channa is from a family of doctors in Karachi. She grew up with high expectations to be part of the medical profession. However, Haanya was curious about the legal profession. The child of a single mother and shocked by the tragic demise of her younger brother, she persevered, moved to Lahore and is now exceeding her own expectations.

Speaking of difficult decisions, Maryam Asad, who was required to get married, was instead supported by her mother to further her education. Maryam is here to affirm that her mother made the right decision.

Students at LUMS and those we are honouring today are not only role models for achieving academic excellence but also in leadership activities.
 

Aman Rehan has studied in many institutions across Pakistan because her parents served at various posts in the army. Following the 2010 flooding in Nowshera, Aman moved to Karachi to live with her grandparents and then came to LUMS. She has worked as a Teaching Assistant, captain of a sports team and recently was elected to the Student Council.

Semra Islam received a partial scholarship and last summer, was a part of the only team selected from Pakistan to participate in the International Moot Court Competition in Japan.

Sara Raza is the Editor of the LUMS Law Journal and was in Washington, DC as part of the Jessup 2019 team.

Ladies and gentlemen, they say the true test of education is what happens afterwards.

Take the case of Shanza Faiq. A BA-LLB graduate of 2016, Shanza won the Fulbright Scholarship and the Woman of Pakistan Scholarship at Warwick in the UK to pursue an LLM. Following these achievements Shanza decided to appear for the Central Services Superior exam or CSS.  Out of almost 12,000 candidates, Shanza topped the CSS exam and was inducted into the Foreign Services of Pakistan Group.

There are many more compelling stories in this room and beyond which I hope you will have the chance to hear from our students.
So, to all of you, who have joined the Dean’s Honor List and look to lead society in matters of justice, equality and the very foundation on which nations stand tall, let me end on a short but powerful saying by Hazrat Ali (R.A.),

“Nothing can cause nations to flourish like Justice”.

Congratulations everyone and thank you very much.

ASW and Welcome everyone,

Before we congratulate and celebrate students on the Dean’s honour list, allow me to first acknowledge parents and family members. It is a privilege for LUMS family of student’s, and we share our pride with parents here today. Thank you!

I would now like to take the next few minutes to share with you a few stories that provide a glimpse into what these young women and men have achieved to reach this milestone. These are by no means the only stories worth sharing. There are many, many, more.

Nisha Sarwar is from a small city in South Punjab where she grew up and attended public school. Nisha applied to LUMS through the National Outreach Program even though it was a difficult decision being so far away from home. Thanks to supportive faculty and mentorship from 

Dean Masud, Nisha found a new home away from home and is a role model for many as she is the first woman in her family to attend college.

Similarly, after attending a federal government college, Ali Hassan came to LUMS. In his first year here, he initiated a social enterprise called DYA which stands for Developing Youth Aspirations. DYA aims to help students explore their potential, discover career opportunities and assist in overcoming financial constraints. Through DYA, Ali is building the first student run orphanage in Pakistan.

Let me also mention Muhammad Farid Haroon who like many in this room has worked hard, remained focussed and committed himself to academic excellence. Like Farid, each and every one of you has invested in achieving academic excellence and this is what we have come to celebrate today.

On behalf of the teachers here at LUMS who take immense pride in accomplishments small and large, we know you are charting a course to make even greater contributions as you continue to make a difference in your futures and those you are destined to lead. Congratulations!

His Excellency Mr. Yao Jing, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Pakistan, Honourable Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Professor Li Fei, Vice President of Wuhan University, Federal Minister Mr. Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Founding Trustee, Dr. Parvaiz Hassan, Syed Babar Ali Sb, Deans, and respected guests.  Assalam o Alaikum. Ni Hao.
Huā yíng lie dào LUMS.

I feel privileged to be part of this seminal moment at this milestone event, in this building that saw the potential to build on a legacy that began some time ago. Dr. Parvaiz Hassan and many others here this evening inaugurated this building 4 years ago to share the vision of a world-class School that would see legal training and scholarship flourish in Pakistan.

Today marks another such moment through the Center of Chinese Legal Studies (or CCLS) to reaffirm that vision which committed the School of Law that saw no borders to research, teaching and service to the community.
As the west looks increasingly to the east, and in particular to China for its lead in economic growth and more recently to its remarkable progress in scientific research and higher education, we thank China for being a steadfast friend and ally of Pakistan for over 70 years.

And as you know, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (or CPEC) which is part of the one belt one road global initiative has announced mega projects focusing on energy and infrastructure that connect Western China to the Indian Ocean.  While the investments are in capital assets, the success and sustainability of CPEC will critically depend on the development of human resources on both sides to promote mutual collaboration through academic, cultural and personal exchanges.

The role of CCLS promote exchanges with Wuhan University to teach Chinese law courses, conduct training seminars and attend conferences and symposia on the Chinese legal system. By building academic capacity to study and teach courses in Chinese law through CCLS, both countries stand to gain as our ties are strengthened through CPEC and the Belt and Road Initiative.

This important initiative must succeed for future generations not only to benefit Asia, but to benefit the world which as I mentioned is increasingly looking to China for its remarkable progress in scientific research and higher education. 

I was in Wuhan last year to see first-hand China’s Double First-Class University Plan which aims to create a group of world-class universities and disciplines by the end of 2050. According to the Nature Index, and Times Higher Education, 72 Chinese universities are listed in the table, which makes it the fourth most represented nation in the world and now in the Top 10 of emerging institutions in scientific research.

The partnership with LUMS, a not-for-profit university opens doors to over 4,500 students, 13,000 alumni and some 300 faculty teaching in 5 Schools. We are small, and we are young, but we are also top of our class among the 200 universities in Pakistan. For the past two years we have ranked number one in QS employability rankings in Asia placing 95% of our students within 9 months of graduation. And overall, during each of the past 4 years LUMS has improved to a cumulative increase of 86 places giving us a spot in the top 100 schools.

The School of Law has always been an incubator of innovation which is where a 5 year BA-LL.B programme was pioneered, where interdisciplinarity is ingrained in the curriculum, and where we are already producing world class scholarship in Islamic law, comparative corporate law and governance, human rights law, family law and more.

As Wuhan and LUMS forge stronger ties through CCLS, we are already thinking of a broader nexus of collaboration that will engage other universities like Oxford and Harvard who we are in conversations with for a number to multilateral academic arrangements.

As China’s celebrates its 70th year as the Peoples Republic and looks outward through its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, we l think we can say, China has been a good teacher and we look forward to learn from you.

I’ll close by quoting a disciple of Confucius, who once asked the great educator and philosopher the following question:

“Is there any one word that could guide a person throughout life?"

The Master reflected and replied:
quote "Reciprocity!”.  Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself”. Unquote

Reciprocity is a wonderful word that represents the spirit of the Chinese Center for Legal Studies and we could not have a better partner that Wuhan to mark this milestone event.

Thank you. Shurkra. Sien Seeyea

Principal Michael Thomson, Syed Babar Ali Sb, faculty, students, ladies and gentlemen, ASW.

I feel privileged to be here on this auspicious occasion and thank you very much for your kind invitation.

We are here to celebrate excellence derived from hard work, and perseverance which commands success. Rursom puer is the Aitchison motto for your singular achievements today, but success is also a result of how others have lifted and supported you.

Before I say more about this, I want to congratulate each and every one of you and applaud Aitchison’s teachers and staff, and parents, who have helped you to get here.

As you celebrate today...tomorrow, a new reality, and new challenges await you.

And especially you, because your success opens wider doors of opportunity.

So, let me ask you a question.
As you think about your future, do you want to invent things, or change things?

Let me explain what I mean by this question.

Take the case of a farmer’s son who turned out to be one of the most important innovators of the last two centuries.

He had a great invention, but no suitable fuel, no machinery to connect it to, and therefore he wasn’t able to put the invention into practice in a way that had any significant impact on anyone, let alone the world.

His name is Nikolaus Otto. You have likely never heard of him.

Yet Otto invented the internal combustion engine back in 1876. 

Now all of you have probably heard of the following two men … a German named Carl Benz and an American named Henry Ford.

You see, Otto’s innovation was, effectively, just sitting on a shelf accomplishing nothing.

Then Karl Benz translated Otto’s work into practice by developing the world’s first car. 

Then Henry Ford translated Benz’s and Otto’s work into a product manufactured at scale which completely transformed the way we live and continues to influence urbanization, the global economy and geopolitics.

The point is, that the world you inherit has no shortage of engines.

The shortages, however, are capacities to think like a Benz or act like a Ford. These are the types of leaders who take ideas into practice to change lives.

Opportunities for taking ideas into practice are especially abundant in Pakistan. Their impact can be enormous on community and nation-building.

In 1886, a year before the invention of the engine, Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a ten-year-old boy who is remembered today as the great Quaid-e-Azam.

And at this time a foundation stone of an institution was laid.  The architect is Sir Ganga Ram, an icon of his generation who is also regarded as the father of modern Lahore.

Who would’ve known that upon that stone would stand a building so strong and so tall that for the next 133 years its name would become synonymous with success, accomplishment and leadership.

Aitchison College was born.

In 1888, the Lt. Governor of Punjab, Sir Charles Aitchison said:

Quote: “Much, very much, is expected of you. I trust you will use well the opportunities here afforded of you both for your education and for the formation of your character.”

These are wise words which Aitchison has ingrained in its values and produced some of the most prominent leaders in Pakistani politics, sports, science and the arts. 

As you prepare to contribute to the 21st century workforce, employer expectations have increased. To be competitive, an undergraduate degree is essential. More importantly, intellectual development is not only about learning subject matter, but also about learning how to learn, how to unlearn and then relearn.

According to the World Economic Forum, by the time a freshman graduates, the marketplace will be dominated by machines that will perform as many tasks as humans. 

Many jobs are already being displaced with algorithms running big data in the workplace. Platform based companies are already the most valuable in the world. But this disruption is expected to create 58 million net new jobs in the coming years.

This is a transformational shift for the global workforce. Universities are therefore developing new models and different conceptions of knowledge to address grand challenges to prepare students as leaders for new workforce skills. 

At LUMS, which is where I hope to address you the next time we meet, you can take some giant steps.
Like Aitchison, LUMS prepares leaders. And the secret to leadership is rooted in its values, which put other people’s welfare before their own.

If your actions inspire others to learn more, to contribute more, and find purpose that is greater than yourself, then you are a leader.

This is why LUMS offers an education with “no borders” and is investing in University Centers to tackle issues dealing with water, energy, big data, urbanization, policy, and business in society and more.

Ladies and gentlemen, imagining a not-for profit university that brings students from all corners of Pakistan together also speaks to nation building. LUMS has grown into a comprehensive university that gives you Schools in Business, Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, Science & Engineering and Education.

No borders at LUMS means experiencing a core curriculum to experience a liberal arts education.

Diversity means that a son of a rickshaw driver ends up giving a Valedictorian address at our convocation last June. Generosity means distributing food to 3.1 million people in Pakistan which is what 3 LUMS students have done through their social enterprise called Rizq.

Our founder personifies values of leading from behind, from mentoring others and shining a light to those who want to change things and those who can persevere to command success. It isn’t surprising therefore that Syed Babar Ali Sb is an Aitchisonian.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is a honour to be here with you today.

Thank you, Principal Thomson, for inviting me. And thank you all for participating today!

Congratulations everyone,
God bless you.

Syed Babar Ali Sb, Rector, Shahid Sb, Chairman of Allied Bank, Naeem Sb, Director Waseem Sb, CEO Tahir Sb, colleagues and friends of LUMS, ASW.

It is a great honour and my pleasure to welcome you here at LUMS. We take this opportunity to acknowledge the generous contributions of Allied Bank Limited and congratulate you for your stewardship as a role model for corporate social responsibility that has stood the test of time.

Ladies and Gentlemen: Naeem Sb, was here in 1994 as a member of the Board of Governors when ABL donated to LUMS National Management Foundation.

LUMS grew from its humble beginnings as a Business School, followed by the School of Humanities and Social Science. Ten years ago, ABL made another significant donation to help build the Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering.

And more recently, ABL doubled that donation – this time from building classrooms to building living rooms, which is now the M7 hostel where many young students enjoy a residential campus experience.

Sir, ABL’s investment in LUMS has gone a long way to contribute to the international stature of this comprehensive university. Over three decades, LUMS has attracted intellectual capital from around the world and our offerings have differentiated us through stellar international accreditation and global rankings.

But beyond the accolades, the goal of a LUMS education is one that has “no boundaries”. Practically, this means students get a very broad curriculum. It also implies that our disciplines merge, where scientists work side by side with engineers, with management experts, economists, lawyers and humanists to address the grand challenges of our time.

As you know, bringing experts to work together can be a challenge. To incentivize work across disciplines we have provided new institutional mandates by launching centres on water, energy, policy, entrepreneurship and business in society, that are contributing to solving national and broader regional issues.
We have been able to achieve our goals because of the generosity of friends like yourself and we will continue to seek partnerships that aspire to invest in 21st century education. We want to bring out the best in our students to thrive in this age of digitization and disruption.

To do that, we thank you for helping us to make this 100-acre campus a living ecosystem for residential life for faculty and for students. This campus is not only a safe and inclusive home-away-from-home, but also a living laboratory of how we can work together by serving each other.

You will be glad to know that a LUMS education is also measured in qualitative accomplishments. It is measured as students are pushed to their limits to learn that a moral compass that guides ethical behaviour personified by honesty and integrity takes them further than a higher grade-point average.

You will be glad to know that this transformation takes place for students who come from every corner of Pakistan, where one out of three receive financial support and over 1,100 students earn full scholarships each year that covers tuition, room and board.

All of LUMS students enter solely on the basis of merit. Their journey provides a credential but more importantly, with a disposition to lift others who are less fortunate than them.

It is in this spirit of giving back to society that we celebrate LUMS with you. To bring the many LUMS ki kahania to life, we want to share one story with you today. It is the story of Huzaifa, Musa and Qasim, recent sophomores from LUMS who started a campaign to redistribute surplus food that celebrates students giving back to society.

Before you see a short video that tells their story, I want to once again thank ABL and all of its leaders personally for becoming part of the tapestry of LUMS. 

Thank you for your unwavering support, and we look forward to our continued collaboration in many exciting projects underway at LUMS.

Aapka bohot shukria

Before I thank Gohar Sb, allow me to talk a little bit about the role of giving at LUMS.

It is a common misperception that LUMS is for the rich, for the elite and therefore inaccessible to the majority of Pakistani’s. This is simply not true. We are a private university, but we are also a not-for-profit institution. And as you saw in the video, we are not a school of privilege but rather a footprint of diversity from all corners of Pakistan.

This year applications at LUMS came from 162 towns, villages and cities in Azad Kashmir, Baluchistan, FATA, Gilgit-Baltistan, ICT, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh.
In other words, from all corners of Pakistan. This gives you a sense of our 1,100-student intake in terms of diversity.

As for accessibility, all applicants are treated on a needs-blind, full-merit basis.  We provide financial support to one out of three students, and 10% are part of our National Outreach Program receiving full scholarships that covers onboarding, tuition, lodging, and supplies. It is the national outreach program which Gohar Sb is supporting which is now in its 19th year.

Since we do not get public funding, we rely on tuition, donations, grants and philanthropy. But this reliance has changed drastically. In the past, international sources such as USAid and DFId provided significant funding contributing almost in excess of PKR 250 million each year towards financial aid. But as these funds have dried up, and we can only meet this challenge to support diversity and accessibility by reaffirming our commitment.
It is a fair question to ask what makes LUMS top of its class, and why a LUMS education produces citizens that serve Pakistan and society at large. In the interest of time allow me to point to a few indicators.
LUMS began in 1985, with the business school and this year because the only internationally accredited program in Pakistan, represents a select 5% of all business-accredited programs worldwide. The business school differentiated itself by pioneering the Harvard case-teaching method with our faculty producing the largest repository of business cases – over 800 in all of Asia.

But today we are focusing on how your giving has changed the lives of our students.

You will be glad to know that LUMS produces more international Fulbright Scholars than any other university in the world. This year, our students continued to earn prestigious scholarships. Mr. Mansoor Rathore won Stanford University’s inaugural Knight Hennesy Scholarship. Shanza Faiq beat out 11,877 candidates to top the CSS exam. And there are many others who come back to serve the institution and Pakistan just as the NOP scholars do that you are supporting today.
Sir, I am fairly new to LUMS having served for only a year, but I can tell you that I had tears in my eyes on graduation night when I listened to Hattaf Ayub, NOP scholar and Student Council President who told us about taking a bus to get to Al-Abbas science school, 70km away from Dera Ismail Khan where he grew up.

I share these stories of what your generous giving produces and it is extremely humbling to be part of an institution like LUMS where I can witness its transformative ability up close.
I think all of us here can acknowledge the invaluable contribution of Founder and Patron of LUMS Syed Babar Ali Sb, who epitomises the spirit of giving, about humility and generosity. I am reminded by one of his famous sayings and I quote:
“Giving has never hurt anybody. It is about how big your heart is and not how deep your pocket is.” 

Babar Sahab believed in creating a university in Pakistan which showcases how generous individuals can pave the path for many students to help forge a brighter future. 

And today we have come together to acknowledge another exceptional individual.

Mr. Gohar Ejaz, CEO of Lake City Holdings has helped transform the lives of several deserving students at LUMS.

In 2017, Gohar Sb. generously donated PKR 20 Million to fund 20 students of the NOP program I mentioned earlier contributing to more than 1,100 students from over 77 cities from all across Pakistan who have benefitted from the NOP.
This year, Mr. Ejaz has graciously decided to continue his support, reiterating his confidence and faith in the potential of not just the students, but also in LUMS. His total donated amount of PKR 40 million will not just pay for the expenses of these 20 NOP scholars, but also exhibits his unwavering belief in their abilities. This must be celebrated for it has impacted them on an intrinsic level and empowered them to dream bigger than before.

Unfortunately, Babar Sahab and our Rector, Shahid Sahab had prior engagements today, but they send their thanks and deep gratitude to you for being a beacon of hope for these students and helping achieve the LUMS vision of world-class education.

Your generous support has played a pivotal role in fulfilling their commitment and on their behalf, I would like to convey their appreciation for your investment in the future of the University, and indeed, the nation. Thank you, Ejaz Sahab.

To continue achieving transformation for our young, this we must strive to create an inclusive space where no child is left behind. The African proverb it takes a village to raise a child sounds clichéd but rings true for LUMS that is a living, learning ecosystem to inculcate in our youth from all parts of Pakistan who cultivate values that promote a clear moral compass, generosity to nurture friendships and a greater purpose to serve others.

With your generous support, and with others like you here today, these students will tread forth with courage, conviction and integrity.

Thank you!

Founding Pro-chancellor, Babar Sb, Rector, Shahid Sb, Osman Sb, Dean Andrabi, colleagues and the MPhil Class of 2021, askm. 

It’s really good to be here to welcome you.

One of my favourite quotes is from the visionary H.G. Wells who described the essence of education as:

Quote: “Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe.” Unquote. 

This race, and I believe this with all my heart, and I think all of you believe as well… that education is going to win that race. This is a relay race where pass on the baton of how we learn to another, and this School of Education is well positioned to lead the race.

Unlike many other programs in higher education, the MPhil attracts women. This is a victory for LUMS because when it comes to human development, women role models are essential and we must break new barriers to strengthen their leadership. In fact, if we disproportionately invested in women’s education, we will win that race.

Also unlike many other programs, the MPhil attracts leaders. How many of the students here feel they have leadership experience at whatever level?

This is another victory for LUMS. We have much to learn from you.

But everyone here is aspiring an education that amplifies a purpose. The etymology of the word “education” is derived from “edukatchio and eduche” which is to lead, to conduct, to raise and to uplift others. Education is a reminder that our purpose is greater than ourselves.

Part of that purpose will be derived from the world-class knowledge and curriculum you are about to experience. And part of it will be derived from an unwritten curriculum. The unwritten curriculum boils down to the people you will spend your time with.

Here’s another one of my favourite quotes from the anthropologist Margaret Meade who challenged the conventional wisdom of doing it alone and said:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has”.

That world you want to change is at your doorstep. The opportunities to make a difference in Pakistan are at your doorstep. Pakistan’s demographic dividend is staggering. I’ve lived mostly in Canada, the 2nd largest country in the world. I remind myself that 2/3 of all Canadians, or over 24 million people are equal to as many young children in Pakistan who are out-of-school. They are at your doorstep.

I know Dean Andrabi is a data guy and keen for you to learn how to measure impact. We also know that the education metrics of Pakistan compare poorly with our South Asian neighbours who have similar per capita income. But this presents a great opportunity to make a difference. And the point is, the world we want to change is not in South Asia, it is on our doorstep. 

The small groups Mead referred can certainly be found within the SOE and you will spend a lot of time with them. But I encourage you to seek partnerships from your colleagues in the Schools of Business, HSS, Science and Engineering and Law. They too seek purpose and you must seek them out as well.

So, class of 2021, go ahead and dream about making a difference in the fastest growing sector in Pakistan, and amplify your purpose.

Most of your interventions won’t win awards or public accolades but you will win the hearts and minds that subsume every other discipline at LUMS.

This is because the mother of all disciplines is education and while we are an academic institution offering specializations, we are also united by shared cultural traditions. Cultural education means building in ourselves the capacity for reflection – about our own culture and the culture of others.

So, let us look through the lens of philosophy, the arts and science and everything else that LUMS offers, to build our cultural self-conscientiousness as citizens of the 21^st century.

Let me conclude by saying that we, the administration, the staff and your teachers – especially your teachers, we are by your side throughout your journey here at LUMS – in the hallways, the weekly events, at the sports facilities and of course at your convocation!  I personally look forward to see you at a seminar and learn from you.

Good luck. Thank you, and God Bless!

Syed Babar Ali Sb, Rector, Shahid Sb, parents and freshmen, faculty, staff and students, ASW. Welcome and thank you for joining us from near and far to mark this important occasion.

Let’s begin by congratulating 1,100 students in this room who were admitted to LUMS.

Let us also begin by acknowledging our parents and family, for trusting LUMS and for the sacrifices you make for your children.

YahaN jitnay validain mojood haiN, aur wohh bhi, jo yahaN mojood nahiN haiN, uun sub ka bohot bohot shukriya.
Uunki kaavishoN kay baghair…. aaj ka din mumkin nahin ho ta.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me to applaud our parents and family here today  

To the class of 2023, a very warm welcome to each and every one of you. We share your excitement. It’s your first official day here, and there is so much to achieve together.

Kaha jata hai ke,
‘Ilm haaasil karein, ye tau zaroori hai
Laikin ilm se kuch haaasil karein….ye bohat zaroori hai.‘

Learning at LUMS will not just be about business, law, or science, it will be about learning who you are… how you want to help the world that surrounds you …and how you can be the light that guides those around you.

Over the years, LUMS has been proud to do its part in making your dreams come true. Take, for example, the story of Shahrukh Swati. And multiply Shahrukh’s story by over 13,000 LUMS alumni… who have gone on to tell their stories. These stories speak to the impact of higher education in our society.

These stories also reveal why LUMS, since its inception in 1985, admitted students… not because of their gender, disability, ethnicity, locality or difference in income… but solely on the basis of merit and capability. Class of 2023, you have earned a seat to join the LUMS family.

To provide world-class education to just over 1,100 students from 160 villages, towns and cities, LUMS provides financial support to one out three students in need. Last year Rs. 1 billion was disbursed through scholarships and financial aid.

The point is that LUMS is not a school of privilege and status but rather a footprint of diversity from all corners of Pakistan. Meeting this challenge to support diversity is a commitment that differentiates LUMS from other universities.
We are proud to support students in need, especially because we are not a public institution dependent on provincial or federal funds.

We are instead a private but not-for-profit institution. This means our support comes from donors who believe in higher education – donors from public sector organizations, the business community and philanthropists like Syed Babar Ali Sb.

LUMS is also a learning organization where research and teaching will enable you to address 21st century challenges and those challenges facing Pakistan and the subcontinent.

This is why our motto of “no boundaries” applies especially to you, who come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. And this is why, I encourage you to learn from peers across the schools – from Business, Humanities & Social Science, Science & Engineering, Law, and Education…. all of these disciplines are at your doorstep.

Whether you choose a bachelor’s in social sciences, accounting and finance, economics, or an MSc in Computer Science, or an MBA or PhD, LUMS offers you choice.

In fact, LUMS offers much more than disciplinary knowledge.
Aristotle once said that “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”

LUMS opens pathways to find your purpose. It is a rite of passage to demonstrate your courage to help others less fortunate than yourselves. It is a place where you can shine your light on those who are in the dark. 

Remember. If LUMS is your passport to success, then taking short-cuts, is your ticket to failure. Punctuality… matters here. Honesty… matters here. Integrity matters here. I mention these values because they will serve you for the rest of your life.

Life at LUMS is about keeping up with readings, your assignments, passing exams and being pushed to your limits to earn your degree. But the real purpose of your education is far richer than that.

The real purpose is to be humble, let go of your ego, support others and have a clear moral compass. In other words, the real purpose is far greater than yourselves.

Life at LUMS is also about countless opportunities to be active in community building and to have fun as you learn.

There are 42 student-run societies that will be welcoming you at the Academic Block at noon today.

Life at LUMS is also full of activity. You will have several opportunities to participate in democratic initiatives and processes. The Dean of Students encouraged you to work with the student-elected council so you can contribute to improving your School and the University.

Beyond that, you represent LUMS – locally, regionally and internationally, not only when you win accolades and awards, but upon each interaction with society as our ambassadors, as our teachers and as our leaders.

It has been said that millennials can be over-confident, but as the Pulitzer Prize writer Pearl S. Buck wrote:

“The young do not know enough to be prudent. And therefore, they attempt the impossible. And achieve it, generation after generation, after generation.” Unquote.

We want you to succeed in your journey to make a better world. Fear not what happens when you fail, because failure is a very good teacher. But also imagine what you can do as you succeed.

Allama Iqbal ne farmaya hai, 

Manzil se agay barh kar, manzil talash kar
Mil jaye agar darya, th-o samandar talash kar
Har sheesha toot jata hai, pathar ki chot se
Pathar hee toot jaye, woh sheesha talash kar.

Sajj-doN say teray kya huwa?
SaddiyaaN guzr gayeeN
Duniya teri badal dey,…..
wohh sajda talaash kar

Dear students, university life is different from school-life in many ways.

The biggest difference here is that you are treated as adults. This means assuming responsibilities of respecting your peers and especially your teachers with whom you have a very special and sacred relationship.

Your teachers care. But most of all, they are here to support your intellectual and personal development and provide insights in a world that is not black and white but infinitely nuanced and complex.

Let me also say that LUMS is not only an academic institution.
It is also a cultural institution because we believe that cultural education means we build in ourselves the capacity for reflection about our own culture and the culture of others.

This means that we look through the lens of philosophy, the arts and science to build our cultural self-conscientiousness.

And it is this acculturation which makes our student body the most resilient and the most successful of any student body in any institution in Asia, and I would say anywhere in the world.

I’d like to close by sharing a few reflections from my own education which are this:

First, submit to how little you know.  Ask good questions and teach others how to ask good questions.

Second, finish what you set out to do.  There are limits to everything except one thing – And that is your learning. 

And third, embrace your friendships here. Over the years, your close friends will outlast your time at LUMS and provide an infinite source of strength.

Let me also say that we, the administration, the staff and your teachers – we are by your side throughout your journey here at LUMS – in the hallways, the weekly events, at the sports facilities and of course at your convocation!

Your journey has begun.
Aspire.
Aspire to change yourself.
And above all, aspire to change the world.

Together inshallah, you will not only make your parents and families proud, you will fulfill the dreams that make us proud to be Pakistani.

God bless you.
Thank you.