The Babar Ali Foundation (BAF) has made a generous commitment to support LUMSx, a digital learning platform introduced by LUMS. LUMSx aims to provide a diverse range of courses across various fields, breaking down socioeconomic and geographic barriers to education. Through LUMSx, the university seeks to expand its reach and deliver high-quality education to a wider audience.
A recent celebration event was held to acknowledge the contributions of Syed Babar Ali, the Babar Ali Foundation, LUMS senior leadership, and the LUMSx team. Mr. Ali praised the university’s initiative, stating,
“I extend my gratitude to Vice Chancellor Dr. Arshad Ahmad and Director Dr. Suleman Shahid for bringing LUMSx to life. This platform offers the LUMS community an opportunity to learn beyond the classroom, reaffirming LUMS’ commitment to serve not only its students but also a broader audience across Pakistan and beyond.”
LUMSx offers a rich selection of courses, including Pashto and Farsi language lessons, data analytics, neuroscience, and health and wellness. Additionally, LUMSx conducts research on online learning and teaching behaviors, aiming to enhance the quality of online education. One of the platform’s notable projects involved translating Dr. Barbara Oakley’s renowned course, “Learning How to Learn,” into Urdu, which teaches effective learning strategies to students.
The event was hosted by LUMSx Director Dr. Suleman Shahid, who showcased both completed and ongoing courses, highlighting collaborations with Arbisoft, Continuing Education Studies, and the LUMS Learning Institute. Notable attendees included Founding Pro-Chancellor Syed Babar Ali, Rector Mr. Shahid Hussain, Vice Chancellor Dr. Arshad Ahmad, Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives Dr. Mohammed Ali Khan, Provost Dr. Tariq Jadoon, Senior Adviser for Strategic Projects Dr. Launa Gauthier, and Dean of the Syed Babar Ali School of Engineering Dr. Sabieh Anwar. Syed Hyder Ali, CEO of Bulleh Shah Packaging, represented the Babar Ali Foundation at the event.
Dr. Ahmad emphasized the vital role of LUMSx in shaping Pakistan’s digital education landscape, stating, “LUMS has consistently been a pioneer in expanding access to top-tier education and fostering a diverse community. With LUMSx, we aim to set a benchmark for online education in Pakistan and inspire other institutions to participate.”
Mr. Shahid Hussain echoed this sentiment, expressing confidence that LUMSx programs will soon establish a national standard, leveraging the platform’s digital nature to overcome geographical limitations. LUMSx represents a responsibility and an opportunity for all stakeholders to drive this progress forward.
Interested learners can enroll in LUMSx courses through the website discover.ilmx.org.
