After spending barely two years in office, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) Vice Chancellor Dr Adil Najam has announced his decision to step down in an official email to the student body.
According to details, the surprising 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 e-mail. Dr Najam said he would be stepping down from his post at the end of the academic year, on June 30.
Explaining his sudden decision, Dr Najam simply said it was “time to move on.”
Having joined as vice chancellor in 2011, he said he missed the opportunity to give more time to teaching and research – both of which he defined as his first love. The e-mail also mentioned his desire to dedicate more time to his family.
Describing it as ‘not an easy decision to make’, the 500-word emotional mail thanked the LUMS community for their support and encouragement. He went on to say that the experience was one of the most “rewarding and meaningful” for him.
Dr Najam’s tenure has seen 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 commended the efforts by Dr Najam during his tenure at LUMS.