McMaster’s Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning, to lead University in Pakistan


He has led McMaster’s Paul R. MacPherson Institute for Leadership, Innovation and Excellence in Teaching and has been the University’s vice-provost, Teaching and Learning, for the past five years, but Arshad Ahmad is venturing much farther afield.

On August 1st, he will become the new vice-chancellor and chief executive of Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) in Pakistan.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Ahmad said, “for me to go home and lead a premiere institution that is changing the lives of thousands of young people. LUMS already has a strong reputation domestically and I’m looking forward to working with my new colleagues to build our list of accomplishments and strengthen our ties to the international community.”

“Arshad should be extremely proud of everything he and the MacPherson Institute have accomplished,” said Patrick Deane, McMaster’s president.  “Initiatives like the Students as Partners and the Distinguished Scholars programs, the Leadership in Teaching Fellowships, and new online and hybrid courses, are already enhancing McMaster’s reputation as an international leader in teaching and learning. In fact, these accomplishments played a key role in impressing the international jury that recently selected McMaster as the winner of the Global Teaching Excellence Award.

“My McMaster experience,” said Ahmad, “will inform much of what I do at LUMS. I have learned a lot from my colleagues at the Provost’s Council and from faculty who have worked side by side with the multi-talented staff at MacPherson.”