The Lahore University of Management Sciences announced on Wednesday the appointment of former Higher Education Commission executive director Dr Sohail Naqvi as its new vice chancellor here.
Earlier this month, Adil Najam had announced his decision to step down from the post.
A statement issued by the university read that Dr Naqvi would join the institute as its new VC on July 1.
LUMS Rector Abdul Razak Dawood welcomed Dr Naqvi on board.
“The institute looks forward to working with him,” he said, adding that the decision was taken after a careful selection process.
Rumours regarding Dr Naqvi’s appointment had been doing the rounds after Dr Najam’s sudden announcement to step down as VC, almost two years into service.
The university’s administration and Dr Naqvi had been quiet on the subject until the announcement made on Wednesday. While sources close to Dr Naqvi had confirmed his appointment earlier this week, he had not made an official announcement on the matter.
News of Dr Naqvi’s appointment was communicated to the LUMS community in an email and on the university’s website. Dr Najam, the incumbent, will relinquish his post at the university on June 30.
Dr Naqvi had served as the executive director of the HEC for almost eight years. His appointment came to an abrupt end last year and the former ministry of education and training secretary Major (retd) Qamar Zaman was appointed in his stead.
Dr Naqvi has a PhD in electrical engineering from Purdue University. He has taught at the University of New Mexico and Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Technology.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 30th, 2013.