Dr Najam had took on the role of LUMS vice chancellor in 2011. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE: After almost 2 years in office, Dr Adil Najam announced his decision to step down as the vice chancellor of the Lahore University of Management Sciences in an official email sent to the LUMS community.
The unexpected decision was made public through an update on the university’s official website on Thursday. The website also carries brief details of the decision along with the content of the mail. Dr Najam will be stepping down from his designation at the end of the academic year, on June 30 this year.
Dr Najam explained that it was ‘time to move on’.
Thank you, #LUMS. Its time to move on. http://t.co/PFDKTIAlFa
— Adil Najam (@AdilNajam) May 16, 2013
Having joined as vice chancellor in 2011, he said he missed the ability to give more time to teaching and research – both of which he defines as his first love. The email also mentioned his desire to dedicate more time to his family.
Describing it as ‘not an easy decision to make’, the 500 word long emotional mail thanked the LUMS community for their support and encouragement. He went on to add that the experience was one of the most ‘rewarding and meaningful’ for him.
Under Dr Najam the university has announced the establishment of the fourth school, School of Law in addition to the three schools at LUMS, that of business, humanities and social sciences and sciences and engineering.
Despite his resignation, he will lead the LUMS 2013 convocation, scheduled for June 22, as the university’s vice chancellor.
Pro-chancellor of LUMS Syed Babar Ali has commended the efforts by Dr Najam during his tenure at LUMS.
COMMENTS (15)
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Good Bye, Mr. Chips.
Word around LUMS is that he has been offered an Ambassadorial position (to US maybe) or Chairman HEC. I really really wish he refuses both. Having come to know him and admire him I think he is far too decent a person to survive in both.He is a true intellectual and should stick to that. (But I am also sad to see him leave LUMS).
@Umer: donot talk like those anchors who donot know the subject and come on screeen. LUMS is not a govt university. May be it was difficult for him to manage old and popular professors and most important raise funds to meet expansion and deficit as they are not a money minting university rather give lot of discount and donation to poor anr middle class. our industry and people should come forward to raise USD 10 million endownment fund at LUMS. anyways best of luck Adil Najam, hope to see you on tv like in 90s
I hope he starts "All things Pakistan" website again I miss it so much
Is it that PMLN has come into power and they want their own non-liberal guy in place?
Interesting! Was just introduced to him a couple of weeks back. Seemed like a very pleasant person although I had a pretty short conversation. Asked some nice questions about my work. Good luck to him moving forward...
Abdus Salam had also come back to Lahore wanting to work in his own country, but he was hounded out by the pygmies around him and forced to return, mabe for the better. We do not really treat our role models very well, instead we just riddicule and belittle them. Today another one goes down. What a shame.
All is not well at LUMS. Place is full of sharks who scare away anyone who is good. Adil Najam was way too much of a gentleman to survive in this cutthroat environment. Actually, surprised he survived this long and did so well. He was the ideal man for this job. In that end, that is exactly why others at LUMS ganged up against him and forced him out. In the end, the loser in all of this is LUMS and, as someone said, Pakistan
He is settled abroad and simply came to Pakistan to enjoy a few years on top posts. The previous LUMS VC was also a US resident who came for fun to LUMS for some years. Apparently Pakistan-based Pakistanis are not good enough for LUMS.
He was on leave of absence from Boston U IR dept for 2 years. So, he knew all along that he would leave by June 2013. It is not a resignation, but a well planned exit.
First thee got rid of HoodBhoy and now Adil Najam. Liberals leaving LUMS.
Is it really the teaching and research he misses or does he see a new lucrative spot for him in the capital as the new government takes charge??
Only time will tell!!
Wow. Now this IS a surprise.
He has been such a passionate champion of LUMS and under his leadership LUMS really came of age. Lively discussion and great events all came back to LUMS. Such a breath of fresh air. Too too bad. A real scholar and such a humble and good human being. Just his being there was a motivation for all of us.
Why would LUMS let him go. Have they gone mad?