Celebrating the Impact of Philanthropy: LUMS Annual Dinner in Karachi

The LUMS Annual Dinner, held on December 6 in Karachi, brought together donors, supporters, and friends of the university for an evening of gratitude and recognition. The event honoured the contributions of our partners who have played a pivotal role in advancing the university’s mission of providing access to a world-class education for talented students.

Dr. Ali Cheema, Vice Chancellor, LUMS, addressed the gathering and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to impactful research and community initiatives. He highlighted LUMS’ efforts to tackle pressing global and local challenges, including climate change, economic sustainability, technology and artificial intelligence (AI), health, and social inequity. He also expressed his gratitude to the donors for their support, which has been instrumental in driving these efforts and making a tangible difference in the lives of students and communities.

The evening featured a series of inspiring presentations and stories. Dr. Agha Ali Raza, Associate Professor, Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering at LUMS, shared updates on ongoing research projects at LUMS, focusing on integrating AI into professional workflows.

Ms. Nuzhat Kamran, Director, Office of Advancement, recounted the inspiring journey of a financial aid scholar who has now become a donor, generously giving back to support other students at LUMS. A video highlighting the university’s financial aid initiatives featured the transformative experiences of students such as Mr. Anwar Kabir and Ms. Amna Bilal, whose dreams have been made possible through the generosity of donors.

As a token of appreciation and acknowledgment, shields were presented to several prominent donors. Honourees included the Atlas Foundation, represented by Mr. Iftikhar Shirazi; PSO CSR Trust, represented by Mr. Babar H. Chaudhary; Mr. Towfiq Chinoy; Lucky Cement Limited, represented by Mr. Muzammil Aleem; Spur Solutions, represented by Mr. Bilal Umar and Mr. Zubair Umar; English Biscuit Manufacturers, represented by Mr. Shahzain Munir; Bank Islami Pakistan, represented by Mr. Sameel Qureshi; HBL Foundation, represented by Mr. Zaki Ahmed; Mr. Ibrahim Shamsi; Ihsan Trust, represented by Mr. Fayyaz ur Rehman Khan; and several others. Their contributions continue to enable LUMS to expand its impact and provide life-changing opportunities to students from diverse backgrounds.

The event concluded with a group photograph and dinner, where guests reflected on the achievements of the past year and discussed opportunities for the future.

LUMS extends its deepest gratitude to everyone who joined in celebrating the strength of its community. This unwavering support empowers the university to nurture future leaders and uphold its legacy of excellence.