Message from the Dean
The Syed Ahsan Ali and Syed Maratib Ali School of Education (SOE) was founded as the realisation of Syed Babar Ali’s vision to bring about transformational change in education in Pakistan. This vision was to be achieved by drawing in talented young people who were ready to reflect thoughtfully on educational problems, redefine practices for quality education, and reimagine an education reform agenda for Pakistan. The aim of the School was to develop leaders in education who could influence policy and practice through evidence-based decision-making.
Established in 2018, SOE began with a modest group of pioneering faculty members, a small cohort of students, and a single programme. In just a few short years, we have grown into a thriving hub with nearly 150 enrolled graduate students and around 300 alumni, all committed to making meaningful contributions to education in Pakistan. In addition to our flagship graduate programme (now also offered in a weekend-track mode), we offer around 40 undergraduate courses annually, along with four specialised Minors: Minor in Education; Minor in Education Policy, Politics, and Governance; Minor in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment; and Minor in Inclusive Education. Our graduate programmes and undergraduate courses reflect our commitment to academic excellence, equity, and impact, with enrolment exceeding 1,000 students.
At the heart of SOE lies our unwavering commitment to social justice, equity, and inclusion. We challenge dominant narratives and encourage students to think critically and boldly, revisiting their own assumptions pre-suppositions with a willingness to learn, unlearn, and relearn. This involves embracing moments of confusion and disequilibrium—essential stages before a new, deeper understanding can take root. It demands perseverance, trust in the process, and a growth mindset.
At SOE, our highly qualified and accomplished faculty, alongside our dedicated staff, work with unwavering commitment to enrich the educational journey of our students. Through evidence-based teaching and learning, meaningful academic mentorship, and a strong focus on student well-being, we create an environment where every learner can thrive. We also offer robust professional development, valuable networking opportunities, and avenues for direct engagement with real-world policy and practice, ensuring our students are well-prepared to lead and innovate in the field of education.
Our partnerships with government bodies, NGOs, and schools are thoughtfully designed to connect classroom learning with the dynamic realities of the education sector. Initiatives such as the Practicum Showcase Conference exemplify this. Our Professional Development and Policy Engagement Office stands as a testament to our commitment to bridging theory and practice in impactful ways. Complementing this, our Academics Office and the Student Support and Marketing Office work collaboratively to ensure students receive the guidance, resources, and support necessary to navigate your academic journey with confidence and purpose.
We believe that every opportunity offers the potential for growth, meaningful engagement with the community, and contribution to the collective mission of advancing education in Pakistan. This path holds the promise of significant impact, and it will be inspiring to witness the contributions that emerge along the way.
Dr. Tayyaba Tamim
Chair, Syeda Parwin Babar Ali and Dean,
Syed Ahsan Ali and Syed Maratib Ali School of Education
Highlights
Professional Education and Policy Engagements
The Professional Education and Policy Engagements Office (ProfEd) at SOE is committed to transforming student learning through the capacity development of educators across Pakistan. The Office’s programmes, crafted and delivered by leading LUMS faculty and renowned industry experts, cater to the needs and expectations of educators from various backgrounds and age groups. Through two main streams of offerings—open enrolment and bespoke offerings—the Office offers learning solutions at both the individual level (in the form of long courses, workshops and certifications) and the organisational level (in the form of tailored programmes addressing specific institutional needs).
- Over 1,000 participants enrolled in short courses, summer training workshops, and bespoke training programmes
- 40 training interventions offered
Summer Training Programmes 2024
Through our flagship Summer Training Programme, the Office provides accessible professional development opportunities for education practitioners across Pakistan, through both in-person and hybrid formats. This year, the programme included 30 distinct training workshops, and 5 new short courses such as AI for teaching and learning, Curriculum Development and Assessment Design. Nominations were received from various educational institutes, including Beaconhouse School System, The Millenium Education, Scarsdale, Lahore Grammar School, Cadet College Hasanabdal, and Message Grammar School. Online trainings attracted participants from across Pakistan, including Quetta, Hyderabad, Peshawar, Multan, and Bahawalpur.
Bespoke Training Programmes
This year, the Office collaborated with a wide range of organisations within the education sector, serving as a strategic thought partner in delivering tailored professional development programmes. These programmes addressed critical challenges in areas such as teaching and learning, leadership, early childhood education, and student engagement.
Panel Discussion – Reimagining Education Series
As part of the Practicum Showcase Conference 2025, the Professional Education Office hosted a panel discussion titled ‘Reimagining Education: Raising Standards, Empowering Educators’. This inaugural event brought together experts to discuss both the challenges and opportunities in improving teaching standards and empowering educators. The discussion focused on exploring the way forward for upskilling future generations of educators in a rapidly changing educational landscape.
The Office will organise a series of quarterly panel discussions in the coming year, aimed at developing a community of practice for educators across Pakistan—placing professional development at the centre of policy and practice-oriented dialogue.
Policy Engagements and Education Reforms
Through the Policy Engagements platform, SOE collaborates directly with government partners, private and social sector schools, as well as development partners to tackle critical educational challenges. Currently, the School is engaged in the following initiatives:
Education Fellows Pilot Project in Gilgit-Baltistan
SOE, in partnership with the Institute for Education Development, Aga Khan University; University of Karakoram; and Knowledge Platform, is implementing a PKR 70 million, three-year project focused on the recruitment, selection, and capacity development of educators across public schools in Gilgit-Baltistan. The project is being conducted in collaboration with the Department of Education and Special Education, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The project aims to enhance educator capacity in innovative, student-centred teaching approaches—particularly through game-based learning techniques designed to increase student engagement.
National Institute of Teacher Excellence Project
In partnership with Orenda, Taleemabad, SOE has launched the National Institute of Teacher Excellence (NIETE) project to investigate the challenges, gaps, and demands related to the professional development of educators in federal public schools. This PKR 10 million, year-long project focuses on designing and developing training programmes for novice and in-service educators, particularly in information and communications technology (ICT) at the primary school level. The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training. Taleemabad, which translates to ‘City of Education’, is a multimedia learning platform aligned with Pakistan’s national curriculum. It is accessible through an app, television, and physical materials, providing animated educational content and traditional learning tools.
Partnerships and Placements
Practicum Partner Organisations 2024-25
This academic year, students worked with a diverse range of partner organisations, including
- Programme Monitoring and Implementation Unit (PMIU)
- Aga Khan Education Service
- Pakistan (AKESP)
- The Citizens Archive
- School Education Department (Punjab)
- The Citizens Foundation (TCF)
- Chiraagh Multaan, Cities for Children
- Alif Laila Book Bus Society
- Nazarat Taleem; Storykit
- Ala-ud-Din Academy Girls High School
- Beaconhouse School System
- Circle Women Association
- Humaira Riaz School
- Kawish Welfare Foundation
- LACAS School Network
- SundarSTEM School
- Taleem Foundation Balochistan
- Learning Hub Gujranwala
- Punjab Education Foundation (PEF)
- Sanjan Nagar Public Education Trust School
Practicum Projects 2024-25
MPhil ELM (Regular Track)
- Gamifying Project-Based Learning: Enhancing Student Engagement in 5th Grade Science and English
- The Ripple Effect of Bullying: A Case of Student Well-being and Engagement Across Middle School
- Exploring Knowledge Retention Amongst Adult Women in a Digital Literacy Programme
- Strengthening Classroom Practices through Tailored Teacher Training: A Qualitative Study on Classroom Management and Activity-Based Learning
- Science Pedagogical Training for Primary Grade Teachers: A Case Study Intervention
- Enhancing Assessment Practices: A Study on Formative and Project-Based Learning
- ECCE Teachers’ Perceptions: Communication and Support from Head Teachers in the Implementation of the ECCE Learning Framework of Bunyad
- Integration and Importance of Social and Emotional Learning in a High-pressure STEM School
- Understanding the Impact of Bullying on Student Well-being and Engagement in a Rural School in Balochistan
- Living the Past: Extending Experiential Learning to Sustain Historical and Cultural Memory Amongst Young Museum Visitors in Pakistan
- Leadership Practices and Teacher Turnover: Examining the Relationship with Teacher Motivation and Self-Efficacy in a High-Cost Private School
- Creating Performance-Based Assessments to Assess 21st-Century Skills in Students of Grades Five and Ten
MPhil ELM (Weekend Track)
- Evaluating the Impact of Techno-Bot AI: A Project-Based Learning Approach
- Evaluating the Impact of a Vocational Training Institution on the Financial Independence of Women and Community Perception of Girl’s Education
- Understanding Reasons for Corporal Punishment and Its Impacts in Low-Resource Schools: Developing a Positive Discipline Teacher Training Manual
- Optimising Classroom Observation Tool (COT) Implementation: Insights for Teacher Development and Systemic Enhancement in Punjab Public Schools
- Exploring Stakeholder Perspectives on the Influence of the Education Voucher Scheme (EVS)
- Nurturing Numeracy for Real-Life Application: A Constructivist Toolkit for Teachers in a Non-Formal Rural Learning Centre for Mixed Age Children
- Anticipation of Migration and Student Learning: Exploring the Impact of Sociocultural Factors on Motivation in a Minority Community School
- Imagining Journeys to Higher Education: An Analysis of Personal Stories of Girls’ Educational Aspirations and Challenges across Low-Cost Schools in Pakistan
- The Critical Role of Learner Psychology in Empowering New Teachers: A Teacher Training Framework to Enhance Student Engagement in a Trust School
Practicum Showcase Conference
The annual Practicum Showcase Conference is a hallmark event marking the culmination of the graduating Education Leadership and Management (ELM) students’ practicum experience. This year, the conference drew over 400 participants from diverse sectors within the education landscape. This multifaceted event provided students with an opportunity to present their year-long research, engage in panel discussions, and facilitate workshops aimed at promoting innovation and inclusion in educational leadership.
The conference featured a dynamic Gallery Walk, multiple panel discussions, two interactive workshops, and addresses from eminent leaders in the field of education including a speech by Dr. Ali Cheema, Vice Chancellor; keynote address by Baela Raza Jamil, CEO, Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi; closing remarks from Dr. Tayyaba Tamim, Dean, SOE; and participation from partner schools, NGOs, academics, and policymakers.
Dr. Ali Cheema, Vice Chancellor of LUMS, delivering the opening remarks
Ms. Baela Raza Jamil, CEO, Idara-e-Taleem-o-Agahi, giving her keynote address
Dr. Tayyaba Tamim, Dean, SOE, speaking on a panel regarding educational challenges for minority communities
Panel discussion on reimagining professional education in Pakistan, featuring Tina Hameed (Aitchison College), Taimur K. Bandey (Trinity School), Sannia Hussain (LUMS), and Dr. Faisal Bari (LUMS)
Dr. Tariq Jadoon, Provost, LUMS, engages with students during their Gallery Walk poster presentations
Students lead a workshop titled ‘Making Math Count: Hands-On and Contextually Relevant Strategies for Teaching Foundational Numeracy’
Partnerships & Engagements
MoU with HITEC
This year, the Partnerships Office facilitated the signing of a MoU with Heavy Industry Taxila Education City (HITEC). HITEC is a unique educational model in the Taxila region, offering a continuum of programmes from preschool to university across multiple academic disciplines. The institution includes dedicated campuses for boys and girls and encompasses a network of schools as well as HITEC University, which offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes
Field- Based Engagements in Diverse School Contexts
In Fall 2024, the Partnerships Office facilitated field visits for the Observing Schools course, a foundational component of the MPhil ELM curriculum. This course introduces students to the practical dimensions of schooling across varied institutional contexts. Each student group conducted two visits to three different schools, representing a spectrum of educational providers, including government, NGO-run, and low- to high-fee private schools. In total, approximately 60 visits were conducted across more than 20 partner schools.
In Spring 2025, the focus shifted to field-based research for the School Improvement and Effectiveness course, which required students to collaborate with schools on context-specific improvement projects. This year, nine partner schools engaged in semester-long research partnerships. Student groups visited their assigned school six times, culminating in a final presentation of findings and recommendations to school leadership.
Placements
The Placements Office at SOE supports students in exploring career pathways and strengthening their job readiness. Through personalised career counselling sessions and targeted resources, students build self-awareness and confidence to navigate their professional journeys.
Professional Training & Development Workshops and Sector Speaker Sessions
Dr. Bilal Ahsan Malik, Associate Dean, Office of Student Affairs, and Associate Professor of Practice at SOE, leads a Sector Speaker Session, guiding students through key considerations when pursuing a PhD, while addressing common misconceptions
Atif Rahim Khan, Adjunct Faculty at SDSB, delivers an engaging session on interview skills and crafting an elevator pitch during the 5th Professional Training and Development workshop for MPhil ELM 2026
Students of MPhil ELM 2025 attend a Sector Speaker Session with Usman Aziz, Manager of Strategic Planning at the Programme Monitoring and Implementation Unit (PMIU), focused on making a meaningful impact in public schools
A six-part workshop series was organised for the Class of 2026, covering key career skills such as self-assessment, resume writing, interview techniques, and professional networking. Meanwhile, the 2025 cohort engaged with experts from the World Bank, the Programme Monitoring and Implementation Unit (PMIU), and LUMS, through a curated series of sector speaker sessions. These sessions provided valuable insights into the fields of edtech, consultancy, government, and academia.
Interview Session for Class of 2025
Ali Chaudhry Miraj, Education Consultant at the World Bank, engages with a student during an exploratory interview focused on career pathways and placement opportunities
Zain Murtaza Maken, Project Manager at LUMSx, connects with a student during the SOE Interview Session 2025 to discuss future career prospects
Inaam Zafar, Chief Operating Officer at Oasis School for Autism, interviews a student to explore placement opportunities
The Placements Office organised an interview session for the Class of 2025, connecting students with professionals from 11 leading organisations, including the Programme Monitoring and Implementation Unit (PMIU), Punjab Education Initiatives Management Authority (PEIMA), the World Bank, the Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP), Akhuwat Foundation, The Citizens Foundation (TCF), CIRCLE Women Association, LUMSx, Lahore Grammar School (LGS), Crescent School, and Oasis School for Autism. Over 100 exploratory interviews were conducted, offering students meaningful exposure to diverse sectors such as development, research and consultancy, edtech, and special education.
Notable Placements
SOE students continue to secure roles across a wide range of sectors, achieving an impressive employment rate of 88%. Graduates have joined distinguished organisations, including the British Council, Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP), Aitchison College, Beaconhouse School System (BSS), Ali Institute of Education (AIE), and The Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP), among others.
Partnerships & Engagements
Development of the Climate Change Education Curriculum
Speaker: Nighat Lone
(Education Sector Consultant)
Moderator: Hasham Nasir
(Teaching Fellow, SOE, LUMS)
University Autonomy
Speaker: Dr. Faisal Bari
(Associate Professor of Education and Economics, LUMS),
Speaker: Dr. Soufia Siddiqi
(Assistant Professor, SOE, LUMS)
Moderator: Jasir Shahbaz
(Teaching Fellow, SOE, LUMS)
Managing Stress in High-Demand Academic Settings
Speaker: Dr. Mariam Haider
(Professor of Practice, SOE, LUMS)
Moderator: Aaishay Haque
(Teaching Fellow, SOE, LUMS)
Transforming Learning through Neuroeducation: The Brain-Targeted Teaching Model in Practice
Speaker: Dr. Hiea Mizyed
(Doctor of Education Lecturer at Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)
Moderator: Aaishay Haque
(Teaching Fellow, SOE, LUMS)
Designing for Coalescence: Empowerment and Shared Agency as a Process of Mutual Learning
Speaker: Dr. Gwendolyn Kulick
(Associate Professor of Design Theory, German University in Cairo)
Moderator: Dr. Razia Iram Sadik
(Associate Professor, SOE, LUMS)
