Lahore, Pakistan, 2 February 2025: LUMS and the Bilquis and Abdul Razak Dawood (BARD) Foundation are proud to announce the naming of the Descon Auditorium, a 100-seat facility located in the upcoming Yusuf H. Shirazi Complex at LUMS. Made possible through the Foundation’s generous support, the auditorium will serve as a dynamic venue for lectures, discussions, and student activities, fostering intellectual exchange and collaboration.
The BARD Foundation, established by Abdul Razak Dawood and Bilquis Dawood, has a longstanding association with LUMS, shaping its growth as a premier institution of higher learning. Since inception, the Dawood family has played a pivotal role in advancing education and supporting academic excellence at the University, that includes contributing to the establishment of the Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB), the creation of two endowed chairs and the naming of student housing facilities among other philanthropy initiatives. The Descon Auditorium represents the family’s continued investment in education, creating a space that inspires learning, dialogue, and innovation for generations to come.
At the MoU signing ceremony, Abdul Razak Dawood said, “I want to thank our [Descon] executives—your efforts have made so much possible for LUMS. InshaAllah, we will continue to support LUMS for generations to come. As Syed Babar Ali always says, by giving, we never become poor. I also want to thank my family for their support in making this auditorium a reality—it will truly be a beautiful space.”
The event was attended by the founders of the BARD Foundation, as well as members of its Board of Governors, including Faisal Dawood and Mehreen Dawood. Representing LUMS were Syed Babar Ali, Founding Pro Chancellor; Dr. Ali Cheema, Vice Chancellor; and Shahid Hussain, Rector, who acknowledged the Dawood family’s exceptional contributions to the university’s growth and impact.
Expressing his gratitude for the Dawood family’s enduring support, Syed Babar Ali remarked, “I would like to thank everyone and express my deep appreciation for the generosity of Mr. Razak and his family. It is truly remarkable the amount of time he has dedicated to LUMS. I am pleased to see the next generation of the Dawood family here today. This institution will always need your contributions.”
The naming of the Descon Auditorium highlights the power of strategic partnerships and the importance of philanthropy in the higher education space.
Acknowledging the Dawood family’s continuous generosity, Dr. Ali Cheema noted, “Dawood family’s support has been fundamental to the development of education in our country. With the university’s expanding focus on academics, film, and theatre, our events and convocations can now carry even more significance. I would like to extend my gratitude to Descon, the Dawood family, and the BARD Foundation for their generous support and for making this naming possible.”

Lahore – 29 Jan 2025: Continuing its efforts towards academia-industry collaboration, the Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB) at LUMS has developed another case study for its academic and executive programmes, focused on the successful turnaround of JazzCash. This case study highlights the power of disruption and innovation in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.

SDSB has pioneered the use of the case method of teaching in Pakistan. Students engage with real-world business challenges, assuming the role of decision-makers to analyse and develop practical solutions in an interactive classroom setting. Authored by SDSB faculty, Dr. M. Adeel Zaffar, Dr. Adnan Zahid and Dr. M. Shehryar Shahid, the case titled, JazzCash: Successful Fintech in an Emerging Market explores how the company navigated uncertainty and embraced disruption to transform into a leader in Pakistan’s fintech sector. Students will examine JazzCash’s journey from a period of significant challenges to becoming the country’s largest fintech platform, focusing on the adaptability, innovation, and resilience that drove its success.

JazzCash’s evolution – from overcoming high attrition and operational hurdles to becoming Pakistan’s first profitable fintech by 2023 – serves as a model of strategic restructuring, customer-centric innovation, and technological overhaul. Today, JazzCash is the country’s largest issuer of digital loans, leading QR payments network, and a dominant player in e-commerce payment solutions.

Murtaza Ali, President of JazzCash, expressed his appreciation for LUMS, stating, “Our transformation was fueled by a commitment to creating a sustainable business that offers real value to customers and society. Through this partnership with LUMS, we aim to inspire future leaders to pursue ambitious goals while balancing profitability with social impact.”

LUMS continues to enrich student learning by integrating impactful case studies that bridge theory and practice, furthering its dedication to advancing education and fostering meaningful industry partnerships, and preparing future leaders to drive change in both local and international contexts.