MBA '97 Establishes Endowment to Support Aspiring Business Leaders at LUMS

For the MBA Class of 1997, giving back to LUMS is more than a donation—it’s a growing commitment. Their dedication to supporting students has now taken a transformative step with the signing of an MoU at LUMS, officially establishing an endowment fund that will provide sustained financial support to MBA students. The MoU was signed by Ms. Fatima Asad, Fund Representative for MBA 1997 and CEO, Abacus Consulting, and Dr. Ali Cheema, Vice Chancellor, LUMS. This contribution ensures that aspiring business leaders, regardless of financial constraints, will have the opportunity to excel and shape the future.

This milestone builds upon the class’s long-standing commitment to supporting students. Since 2015, the class has been actively contributing to LUMS through the MBA 1997 Loan Fund, an interest-free initiative designed to assist MBA students. Recognising the need for a more sustainable approach, the class transitioned to an endowment model in 2023, ensuring that financial aid will remain available for future generations of scholars. Their vision is simple, to make sure financial barriers never stand in the way of ambition and excellence.

The signing ceremony brought together several members of the MBA Class of 1997, including Mr. Farooq Saeed, CEO of Ahmad Saeed and Company (Pvt.) Ltd; Mr. Asif Shaikh, Director of Guarantee Engineers (Pvt.) Ltd; Mr. Sajeel Butt, Director Planning and Development at Gift University Gujranwala; Mr. Omar Khalid, COO of Tasdeeq; Mr. Hassan Shah, Managing Partner at HS&A; Ms. Roohina Jamshed; and Mr. Zubair Naseem.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Asad expressed gratitude for the collective efforts of her class, “I want to thank everyone for their support. We share a common goal that we are actively bringing to life. We are united here at LUMS today, and there is beauty in that. Despite everything, LUMS maintains a strong connection with its alumni, who go above and beyond to support its students. This bond is truly heartwarming.”

Mr. Naseem added to the discussion, emphasising the collaborative nature of the effort, “The best part is that this has been a collective effort from our entire class. Everyone has contributed equally, making it a truly collaborative and meaningful experience.”

During the ceremony, Dr. Cheema highlighted the transformative impact of alumni contributions. “I sincerely want to thank you all. When I became Vice Chancellor, I realised how much support students need, especially those from diverse backgrounds. A significant number of our students rely on this assistance, and through initiatives like the National Outreach Programme (NOP), we have been able to make a real difference. This generous support from MBA 1997 comes at a crucial time, and I am deeply grateful to each of you for your contribution.”

As LUMS continues its mission to make world-class education accessible, partnerships like these play a pivotal role in ensuring that no deserving student is held back by financial limitations. LUMS deeply appreciates the MBA Class of 1997 for their continued support.