An original institution

Twenty-two years ago, in 2004, I met Syed Babar Ali for the first time. I was a post-doc at MIT,. through colleagues and friends, had heard about a new initiative in Pakistan to start a school of science and engineering. This was a topic dear to me,. the idea to create an institution in Pakistan that prioritised basic science at the undergraduate level was as exciting as it was unbelievable. I was not sure I belonged in those conversations,. those who had been thinking about it for a while were exceptionally generous to let me in those early meetings in Boston.

Though I had not met Babar sahib personally, I had heard about him. In the mid-1990s. when a friend went to LUMS in their new undergraduate programme in CS, I was intrigued by what was being created. I saw Babar sahib's smiling picture in the brochure and somehow that image stayed with me. A few years later when I was at MIT, I got to meet two of his granddaughters who were undergraduates there,. I was so touched by their kindness and good nature.

But none of this had prepared me for my first meeting with Babar sahib. I knew of his success in business and was aware of his extraordinary philanthropy. What I was not prepared for was his humility and his genuine interest in learning. I remember him asking me questions about research culture, inquiry and higher education that no one had ever asked me. I was used to be in places where there were others who knew so much more about these things than I did,. I knew that I had nothing new to offer. But Babar sahib had different ideas – he was genuinely interested in what I had to say,. his follow-up questions showed sincerity in learning that I had not experienced before. In many ways, this was very unsettling. I did not know many successful businesspersons in Pakistan who cared about education,. those who did were involved to the extent of writing cheques. But this was completely different: it was authentic, honest and showed a commitment that was infectious. If I was curious about the new project before, I was now committed to helping it succeed.

Over the last two decades, I have become a part of that project. I am not sure if I have shaped it in any way, but it surely has shaped me. Among the most prized outcomes of my engagement with LUMS is that I have gotten to know Babar sahib not just as a supporter of higher education. as a champion of excellence, but as a person. In Babar sahib, I have gotten to know someone who is genuinely curious and is enthusiastic about new ideas. Babar sahib often tells me the story of my own PhD advisor. Steve Berry, who, when asked by Babar sahib what a modern chemist should read, immediately said "Shakespeare". I am not sure very many educationists in Pakistan would find that idea acceptable. But Babar sahib knew the value of building bridges, traversing boundaries and recognising the value of creativity beyond disciplines. I carry that spirit in every endeavour I am involved in. I have spent endless hours with Babar sahib asking him about people he met. people many of my generation no longer recognises. Through his extraordinary memory, I have been reintroduced to Mian Iftikharuddin, Sir Zafarullah Khan and so many others. Babar sahib's stories are personal, vivid and funny with crisp detail. I do not know of anyone who can quote both Bulleh Shah. Hafez, and can seamlessly stitch Farsi, Punjabi, Urdu and English in a single sentence. Above all, from Babar sahib I have learned the value of decency, dignity and treating people with respect.

I met Babar sahib in Lahore last month,. just as he did twenty-two years ago, he surprised me with his knowledge, his curiosity and his genuine interest in learning more. I am never quite prepared for the wisdom that I get from him,. I eagerly look forward to each meeting.

Babar sahib celebrates his 100th birthday this month – I know I am not the only one who has become a better person in the last 100 years.

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