LAHORE, May 25: Lahore University of Management Sciences Vice-Chancellor Dr Adil Najam has announced stepping down from his office on June 30, 2013, after the university convocation.

Dr Najam has submitted his resignation to the management committee of the LUMS Board requesting that he wanted to step down as vice-chancellor at the conclusion of this academic year. “I believe that it is now time for me to move on,” stated Dr Najam, who was appointed as the third vice-chancellor of LUMS in 2011.

He said that he had decided to step down as VC with due consultation with Pro-Chancellor Syed Babar Ali, Rector Razak Dawood and other management committee members.

Rumours are rife that former executive director of Higher Education Commission Dr Suhail Naqvi is being considered as Dr Najam’s successor. However, no official word was available in this regard.

Meanwhile, Dr Najam has also sent a farewell email to the LUMS community expressing his gratitude for the support, encouragement, and acceptance that the LUMS community has provided him as vice-chancellor. He said: “My time at LUMS has been amongst my most meaningful and rewarding years. I have considered it an honour and a privilege to be entrusted with the opportunity to serve this great institution, and my country. I have cherished every moment and tried my utmost to fulfill my responsibility with integrity, commitment and diligence…

I will leave LUMS with a sense of pride in this institution, and also of achievement. I consider myself blessed to have had this opportunity. I have made new friends, gained new experiences, gathered great memories, become part of a great community. I know I have learnt much; and I hope that I have contributed some… LUMS remains a beacon of hope, a source of inspiration, and an object of pride for others in Pakistan and beyond.

You all should be deservedly proud of having achieved such recognition for your institution. I certainly am.” He has concluded his email saying that no matter what life will bring next for him, he intends to forever remain part of the LUMS community.

Commenting on Dr Najam’s decision to step down, LUMS Pro-Chancellor Syed Babar Ali has said the university management is very grateful to Dr Najam for his invaluable contribution to the university. He said Dr Najam’s tenure has generated extremely healthy academic and social energy on the campus and he had been an outstanding ambassador of LUMS externally.

Syed Babar Ali said he hoped and desired that “Dr Najam will maintain links and connections to LUMS and we will continue to see him as part of the LUMS family”.

LUMS Rector Abdul Razak Dawood said, “I enjoyed working with Adil Najam and understand his desire to move on, although it will be a great loss for LUMS”.

Mr Dawood said Dr Najam brought new dimensions to the university that would be long remembered.