A Legacy of Leadership: Celebrating the Remarkable Journey of Dr. Faisal Bari as Dean School of Education, LUMS

After three decades of remarkable service at LUMS, Dr. Faisal Bari has established himself as a distinguished academician, an accomplished researcher, and an exemplary leader. As the Dean of the Syed Ahsan Ali and Syed Maratib Ali School of Education (SOE), Dr. Bari's contributions have been immeasurable, leaving an indelible mark on the institution and the lives he has touched. 

With over twenty years of experience in industrial economics, development economics, and education economics, Dr. Bari's extensive background in research has brought immense value to the academic community. Having served as the Head of the Economics Department from 2006 to 2008, Dr. Bari's leadership abilities and deep understanding of the subject have been pivotal in shaping the academic landscape at SOE. As the Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Development and Economic Alternatives (IDEAS), he has made substantial contributions to his field. 

He has held prestigious positions such as the Deputy Country Director for Pakistan in the Central Eurasia Project and an education economist for South Asia at the Open Society Foundation. Esteemed organizations like the World Bank, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Department for International Development (DFID), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have leveraged his vast knowledge and sought his consultancy services. 
Under his tenure, Dr. Bari celebrated many milestones and was able to empower students, faculty members and staff through recognizing their achievements. His unwavering dedication to the success and well-being of students, staff and faculty has created a nurturing and inspiring environment within SOE. 

Throughout the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Bari's extraordinary leadership and commitment to the success of the school have been exemplary. Over the past three years, some of his significant accomplishments include the introduction of multiple minors at the undergraduate level, the establishment of the Executive Education Leadership and Management program, substantial expansion of the Professional Education Office and aiding three cohorts to graduate, with a considerable number of these students choosing to further pursue Ph.D. programs. 

Dr. Bari has spearheaded initiatives to prepare for the future, constantly emphasizing the importance of staying ahead of the curve and embracing new educational paradigms. 
As we bid farewell to a truly remarkable Dean, we express our deepest gratitude for his contributions.
 

Message from SOE Faculty and Staff

Faisal’s openness and genuine care for, not just my work, but also my well-being and happiness, made me feel at home in the SOE. I am never afraid to say what I think, ask questions, or request support from Faisal. I am so thankful I had him here to support my transition into higher education; I always had his good humor and care to fall back on. It is an honor to have worked with him at LUMS and I look forward to working with him in the future. I hope that this transition brings prosperity for Faisal and affords him time to create wonderful memories with his wife and daughter. 

Dr. Jessica Catherine Albrent 
Assistant Professor

Working with Dr Bari has been a lovely experience! To all the hilarious corridor conversations we indulged in every now and then. I hope you truly enjoy your sabbatical reading a hundred new books and listening to Urdu ghazals. 

Faryal Shahid 
Team Lead, ProfEd

It has been an absolute pleasure working with Dr. Faial Bari. An amazing journey of growth, learning and fun, accompanied by incredible support that has been truly invaluable - thank you Dr Bari. 
 

Sarah Mahmood 
Head of Marketing, Admissions and Student Affairs

Dr Faisal Bari inducted me as a member of the SOE faculty. I had a wonderful time working with him because of the undeniable trust he showed in my abilities. The fact that he always encouraged and endorsed my ideas gave me the confidence to explore new horizons and do the best for my students. He always listened intently, which is a great forte, and understood the problems pertaining to the course I teach. Much as I am saddened by his departure, I wish him all the best for his future endeavors. 

Ms. Sannia Hussain 
Adjunct Faculty

It was a great pleasure and an absolute honor to work under Dr. Faisal Bari. I learned a lot by his measured analysis on all manner of social and policy issues that affect Pakistan. Moreover, it was truly a privilege to experience his exemplary and compassionate leadership style in which people and principles always came first. We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors, Dr. Bari, and thank you for your service to SOE and LUMS at large! 

Mr. Daniyal Yousaf 
Teaching Fellow