Syed Babar Ali, a household name in Pakistan and the founding Pro-Chancellor of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) has been elected as a member of the prestigious American Academy of Art and Sciences. He joins an esteemed cohort of over 270 innovators and leaders from across different sectors, disciplines, and geographies.
According to a press release by LUMS, Babar Ali has been acknowledged in the category of ‘Business, Corporate, and Philanthropic Leadership’ for his numerous contributions towards education, advancing public good and promoting social equity in Pakistan. He was also recognised for his efforts for establishing LUMS as a premier business institution of Pakistan.
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Ali is the second Pakistani to receive the honour. The first Pakistani to be elected was Nobel Prize-winning physicist, Dr Abdus Salam who was elected in 1971.
Speaking about his induction, Ali said, “I feel deeply humbled to be a part of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, which is dedicated to advancing the public good and strengthening the global community. It is a great honour.”
Founded in 1780, the Academy is one of the world’s most respected honourary societies, known for its exceptionally accomplished members and celebration of excellence. It is dedicated to honouring excellence and leadership, working across disciplines and divides, and advancing the common good. It was founded during the American Revolution by John Adams, John Hancock, James Bowdoin, and other Founding Fathers of the United States.
Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of LUMS, Dr Arshad Ahmad, congratulated Babar Ali and called him “a national treasure who personifies humility, integrity and generosity.”
“He will remain a role model for generations to come,” he added.
Babar Ali joins 250 Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, including the likes of Benjamin Franklin, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela who have become part of the Academy’s 240-year history.
