Message from the Dean
Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB) remains firmly committed to raising the standards of excellence in business education through a variety of initiatives responding to the changing business landscape and market needs. Our focus on transformative learning and creating societal impact continues to drive us forward.
SDSB at LUMS is the first business school in Pakistan to achieve AACSB International accreditation. In February 2024, our ongoing commitment to excellence was reviewed by the AACSB Peer Review Team (PRT), which visited the School as part of a continuous improvement review for the reaccreditation of its programmes. Their report acknowledges the School’s efforts in creating a first-rate learning environment, promoting gender diversity, excellence in teaching and research, and unwavering commitment to societal impact.
Our educational philosophy is rooted in the application of classroom knowledge to address real-world problems. We equip our students with business knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as a deep understanding of interpersonal dynamics and societal responsibilities. The successes of our students—from academic accomplishments to career placements, are a testament to the efficacy of our educational approach.
Our faculty are at the forefront of generating and disseminating knowledge through publications of their research work in top-ranked international journals and active participation in international conferences and research projects. SDSB faculty continue to produce high-quality local case studies that enhance content relevance in academic and executive programmes. Some of these cases have been featured on the Harvard Business Publishing platform, making them accessible to business educators worldwide.
The SDSB Speaker Series enriches our academic discourse by connecting students with global industry leaders, providing them with invaluable insights and enriching their learning experiences. This initiative exemplifies our commitment to integrating real-world perspectives to enhance the relevance of our academic programmes.
Through the Rausing Executive Development Centre (REDC), SDSB faculty regularly engage with senior executives and policymakers in the public and private sectors, enhancing our executive education portfolio. Additionally, the Centre for Business and Society (CBS) continues to advance our goals of diversity and inclusion to create societal impact. Through numerous initiatives, such as women’s social entrepreneurship programmes and social impact projects, we empower participants to apply their business knowledge responsibly to serve and uplift communities.
At SDSB, we are not just imparting business education but developing change agents equipped to transform thought and practice. Our entire community—students, staff, faculty, trustees, and friends—contributes to making SDSB a leading institution committed to shaping a better world. This annual report provides a snapshot of how we are progressively realising these aspirations, demonstrating our relentless pursuit of excellence and our significant impact on society.
Dr. Fazal Jawad Seyyed
Abdul Razak Dawood Chair and Dean,
Suleman Dawood School of Business
Highlights
International Accreditation
SDSB is the first business school in Pakistan to achieve AACSB International accreditation, earned by around 6% of business schools worldwide. In February 2024, SDSB hosted the AACSB Peer Review Team (PRT) visit as part of the Continuous Improvement Review (CIR) visit for the reaccreditation of its programmes.
National Accreditation
The National Business Education Accreditation Council and Higher Education Commission re-accredited the MBA and undergraduate programmes at SDSB in 2022, placing the School in the highest quality rating category, ‘W’ for five years until 2027.
QS World University Ranking
35
QS Global MBA
Ranking in Asia 2024
201-250
QS Global MBA
Rankings 2024
121-130
QS Global EMBA
Rankings 2023
25
QS Global EMBA
Ranking in Asia-Pacific 2023
101-150
World Rankings in
Accounting and Finance 2024
201-250
World University
Rankings in Business and Management Studies 2024
161-170
Graduate Employability
Rankings 2022
News and Events
Faculty at International Conferences and Workshops
Dr. Shakeel Sadiq Jajja won the Fulbright postdoctoral fellowship with a joint appointment at the Graduate School of Business and Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability at Stanford University, USA. He continues to work with Stanford University as the Research Project Lead Pakistan in a project at Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.
Dr. Syed Zahoor Hassan’s research on ‘Development of Case Studies in Fintech’ and ‘Fintech Ecosystem in Pakistan’ is funded by Karandaaz Pakistan and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This project enhances fintech education and provides valuable insights into the fintech landscape in Pakistan.
Dr. Ghulam Ali Arain’s project ‘Breaking the Cycle of ‘Top-Down’ Knowledge Hiding in Organizations: A Cross-National Perspective’ addresses an important issue in organisational behaviour and management, making it a substantial contribution to academic and practical knowledge.
Dr. Jajja’s research ‘Application of sociotechnical systems (STS) theory to manage the transition of mobility and manufacturing value chains to sustainable energy sources’ focuses on sustainability and technology transition in critical industries is highly relevant in today’s context.
‘Impact Assessment of TDAP Women Development Programme on Technology Adoption among Female Entrepreneurs’ by Dr. Misbah Tanveer Chaudhry can have profound implications for gender and entrepreneurial studies in developing economies.
Dr. Faiza Ali has received a Travel Grant to participate in the EURAM conference focusing on ‘Fostering Innovation to Address Grand Challenges’.
SDSB Speaker Series
The SDSB Speaker Series connects students with industry leaders, offering valuable learning experiences, and promoting academic-industry collaborations that benefit the entire academic community.
Saudi Vision 2030 and its Impact on Pakistan
Ali Farid Khwaja (BSc ‘03) - Chairman of KTrade Securities
Unpacking Recent Failures of US Banks and Lessons for the Financial Sector of Pakistan
Saad P. Aslam (MBA ‘97) - Executive VP and Head of Credit Review at Citizens Bank
NDure: The Journey of Creating a New Brand
Ahmed Hussain - Director and Chief Strategy Officer at Service Sales Corporation (SSC)
The Global Financial Services Industry – Landscape and Opportunities for Career Growth
Yawar Shah - Former Chairman of the Board at SWIFT and the Former Managing Director at Citigroup and JP Morgan
Recreating Tesla’s Disruptive Journey & AI-powered Simulation of Electric Car Revolution
Hamza Mudassir (MBA ‘05) - Fellow and Lecturer in Strategy, Judge Business School, Cambridge University & Founder of Strategize
Guest Speaker Session
On September 15, 2023, SDSB hosted a distinguished guest speaker, Fatima Kardar (BSc ‘01), Corporate Vice President, COO, and Chief Technical Advisor to Microsoft CTO, who brought her extensive 22-year+ experience at Microsoft to our students. Kardar’s track record at Microsoft, spanning various critical product and engineering roles, has positioned her as an industry leader. During the session, she shared invaluable insights on the future of technology, innovation, and leadership in the corporate world.
Conversations with Changemakers
On September 5, 2023, former Honorary Dean Dr. Alnoor Bhimani was in conversation with the Executive Director of IBA, Karachi, Dr. Akbar Zaidi, discussing ‘The Future of Business Education in Pakistan’. The session was attended by students, staff, faculty, and alumni, along with the LUMS senior management, including Pro Chancellor, Mr. Abdul Razak Dawood; Rector, Mr. Shahid Hussain; and Provost, Dr. Tariq Jadoon.
Book Launch: ہیں کواکب کچھ
The book authored by Associate Professor, Dr. M. Ahsan Rana was launched on April 26, 2024. The author critiques welfare capitalism, revealing its strain on state resources and unequal distribution, and dissects Pakistan's welfare regime through an Urdu lens, spotlighting tensions between welfare and capitalism.
Healthcare Management Conference: Journey to Quality Healthcare: Navigating the Future of Healthcare Excellence in Pakistan
On March 9, the Conference featured a panel discussion moderated by Kashif Khan, Executive in Residence. Panelists included Dr. Shafique Ur Rehman from Rehman Medical Institute; Dr. Syed Zafar Zaidi from Indus Hospital and Health Network; and Dr. Zeeshan Bin Ishtiaque from Shifa International Hospital. They shared insights on Pakistan’s healthcare challenges and advancements. The event also highlighted student internship projects and celebrated the signing of an MOU between SDSB and Indus Hospital and Health Network, enhancing internship opportunities for MS HMI students.
2nd Battery Electric Vehicles Symposium
On May 7, the 2nd Battery Electric Vehicles Symposium brought together federal and provincial authorities, academics, industry stakeholders, and global experts. Co-hosted by The World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, the symposium focused on Pakistan’s shift towards electric mobility. Discussions centred on learning from global experiences and devising strategies to advance sustainable transportation through collaboration.
Partnerships
SDSB strengthens its network through new academic and industry partnerships aimed at collaboration in research, innovation and student exchange. This year, SDSB signed MoUs with the following organisations:
- Indus Hospital and Health Network
- Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA)
- Punjab Rural Support Programme (PRSP)
- Rennes School of Business, France
- Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA)
Undergraduate Programme Highlights
Dean’s Honour List 2023-24
0
Students made it to the SDSB Dean’s Honour List
0
Class of 2024
0
Class of 2025
0
Class of 2026
Local and International Exchange Programmes
Scholarships
0
CFA Scholarships
0
Accelerate Letters for ACCA Aspirants
0
ICAP Recommendation Letters
Events
Session on ‘Future Trends of Accounting and Auditing’
Organised by ICAP, the session was moderated by
Anayat Ullah Khan, and the panel included Ahmed
Salaar Usman, Hooria Batool, Ubaid Ullah Azam,
and Ali Khan. The discussion highlighted the
impact of technology, challenges in auditing, and
the importance of continuous learning.
Session on the MGS Internship
The session featured panelists such as Dr.
Zehra Waheed, seniors who completed
the MGS Internship last summer, and
representatives from the Career Services
Office and the Undergraduate Programme
Coordination Office.
MBA Programme Highlights
New Elective Courses
- Energy and Sustainability
- Communication during Crisis
Dean’s Honour List 2023-24
10 MBA students made it to Dean’s Honour List 2023-24
Speaker Sessions
SDSB creates a bridge between thought leadership and on-the-ground impact by fostering strong industry-academia linkages through guest speaker sessions, mentorship, panel discussions, and more. This year’s notable sessions included:
Retail Sector: Challenges and the Changing Role of Modern Retail, Wholesale and E-commerce Channels in FMCG Retailing in Pakistan
Speakers: Marek Minkiewicz (CEO and Managing Director, Metro), Syed Muhammad Ali (Regional Sales Supervisor, Reckitt Benckiser), Khurram Javed (Chief Commercial Officer, Fauji Foods), Saad Khan (Senior Director Franchise, Trade Marketing and Key Accounts, Pakistan and Afghanistan, PepsiCo), Bilal Riaz Sheikh (CEO and Co-Founder, Retail Pay), Haroon Saleem (Head of Activations, Trade Marketing and Distribution, British American Tobacco)
Information Technology Sector: Challenges and Opportunities, Skills, and Talent Development
Speakers: Badar Khushnood (Co-founder and VP of Growth, Bramerz and Fishry.com (e-commerce) and Publishrr.com (Content Management System), Sadaf Rehman (Co-Founder, Code School. pk), Tanzeel Ur Rehman (Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Virtual Force Inc.), Asif Akram (COO, Systems Ltd.)
Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Industry
Speakers: Rizwan Butt (CEO, Next Pharmaceutical), Dr. Rizwan Majeed (CEO, Servier Pakistan), Dr. Omar Chughtai (Director Operations, Chughtai Lab) and Kashif Khan (EIR, MS HMI, LUMS)
Guest Speaker Session with Anshu Sharma (Chief Technology and Operations Officer for Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan, Standard Chartered Pakistan)
Internationalisation
Globalisation Module – Silicon Valley Visit 2023
Last year, the MBA 2023 and 2024 cohorts had the privilege
to embark on a transformative
journey to Silicon Valley, visiting
tech giants like Google, Apple,
Cisco, Equinix, Waymo, and
Payactiv. During the visit, they
engaged in insightful discussions
with industry executives,
delving deep into the innovative
strategies driving their success.
Student Exchange Partner Universities
- Bond University, Australia
- Emlyon Business School, France
- ESSEC Business School, France
- European Business School, Paris, France
- Excelia Business School, France
- IÉSEG School of Management, France
- KOÇ University, Turkey
- Nagoya University of Commerce and Business, Japan
- Özyeğin University, Turkey
- Putra Business School, Malaysia
- Rennes School of Business, France
- Sabanci University, Turkey
- University of Malaya, Malaysia
- Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
MS Programme Highlights
From Fall 2023, all the MS Programmes were shifted to weekends.
New Electives
- MS SCRM: Retail Management and Analytics
- MS FM: Financial Institutions and Markets
- MS ACTA: Data Science for Decision Making: Theory and Practice
- MS HMI: Healthcare Supply Chain Management and Advanced Analytics in Healthcare
- MS TME: Business Applications of Data Science
- MS BPP: Public Sector Management
Student Achievements
- MS ACTA alum, Rai Asad Sardar has joined Amazon as a Process Expert.
- MS SCRM graduate, Faisal Haroon has assumed the role of Head of Procurement at DEVSiNC. The software house specialises in catalysing the growth of start-ups, SMEs, and enterprises.
- Aimen Gulzar completed the MS FM with distinction and has now joined ThinkWell Global, where she will manage finance and operations at the country level.
Speaker Sessions
EMBA Programme Highlights
PhD Management Programme Highlights
Four PhD Management candidates successfully defended their dissertations
- Al Waqas Bin Abi Zyad
- Aneka Fahima Sufi
- Syed Tariq
- Nighat Seema
Two PhD Management candidates successfully defended their proposals
- Sania Moazzam
- Afaf Khalid
PhD Management candidates presented four research seminars/webinars
- Ahmad Ammar
- Afaf Khalid
Student Accomplishments
SDSB Placement Statistics
Research Unit Highlights
Research Conferences
11th Asian Management Research and Case Conference 2024
Partner Institutions: SDSB, United Arab Emirates University, and University of Dhaka
January 12-13, 2024
Theme: The Digital Age: Transformation and its Societal Impacts
Sub-theme: 10 Years of CPEC: A Critical Review and Way Forward
7th Islamic Finance Banking and Business Ethics Global Conference 2023
Partner Institutions: SDSB, INCEIF, Universität Jaume-I, and Universität de Valencia
Industry Partner: HBL Islamic Banking
January 12-13, 2024
Theme: Global Transformation through Social Equity, Digitalization, and Sustainability
Sub-theme: 10 Years of CPEC: A Critical Review and Way Forward
Research Workshops – September 2023 to April 2024
- Co-design and Capacity-Building Workshop - Dr. Mina Beigi (Professor, Southampton Business School and Associate Editor of Human Relations Journal), Dr. Wee Chan Au (Lecturer, Newcastle University Business School) and Dr. Faiza Ali (Associate Professor, SDSB)
- Certified Entrepreneurial Coach Workshop - Dr. Faiza Ali (SDSB, LUMS); Dr. Jawad Syed (SDSB, LUMS); Dr. Muhammad Shehryar Shahid (SDSB, LUMS); Dr. Samnan Ali (MSD, GCU); Ms. Theresa Zimmer (UDS, Germany); Mr. Bilal Bukhari (VC Office, LUMS); Ms. Moeeza Nisar (SDSB, LUMS); Ms. Minahil Zia (NICL, LUMS) and Ms. Amina Shaikh (NICL, LUMS)
Research Seminars – September 2023 to April 2024
- Mental Health and Well-Being at Work: A Systematic Review of Literature and Directions for Future Research by Afaf Khalid (PhD Candidate, SDSB)
- A Machine Learning-Based Review of Electric Vehicle (EV) Battery Technology Research: Toward a Common Agenda for Emerging Value Chains by Ahmad Ammar (PhD Candidate, SDSB)
- The Positive Politics of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad (Professor, University of Texas at Arlington)
- Customer Dignity in Service Encounters by Dr. Aman Abid (Assistant Professor, SDSB)
- Mitigation in Marketing: Assessing the Public Health Benefits of Restaurant Inspections by Dr. Moeen Naseer Butt (Assistant Professor, SDSB)
- International Social Innovation Projects: To Launch or Not to Launch by Dr. Jessica Salmon (Associate Professor, Siena College, New York)
- Understanding the Path to High-Quality Journal Publications by Dr. Mohsin Hakeem (Associate Professor, NUCB Business School, Japan)
- Panel Discussion: Story of Grants, Publications and Beyond - Dr. Mina Beigi (Professor, Southampton Business School and Associate Editor of Human Relations Journal), Dr. Wee Chan Au (Lecturer, Newcastle University Business School) and Dr. Faiza Ali (Associate Professor, SDSB)
Research Output
Case Research Unit Highlights
Top Five Best-Selling SDSB Cases on the Harvard Business Publishing Online Catalog
October 2023 – March 2024
Asian Journal of Management Cases (AJMC)
In 2023-24, two regular issues were published for AJMC, a biannual case journal published through Sage Publications. Dr. Faiza Ali, Associate Dean of Research and Scholarship at SDSB is the journal’s editor.
