Welcoming the New PhD Cohort to SDSB

The Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB) welcomed its incoming PhD cohort through an orientation programme designed to introduce students to the academic environment, resources and community that will support them throughout their doctoral journey at LUMS.
The incoming cohort comprises students specialising in Organisational Behaviour and Strategy and Operations Management. The orientation brought together academic, administrative and community-focused sessions, providing students with an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the School and the wider university environment. From meeting the leadership and faculty to learning about essential campus resources and systems, the programme marked the beginning of their journey as members of the SDSB research community.

A Welcome to the SDSB Community

A key part of the orientation was the opportunity for the incoming PhD students to engage with the leadership of the School. During the session with the Dean, Dr. Adeel Zaffar, students were welcomed to SDSB and introduced to the wider academic community of which they are now a part.

The cohort also attended a welcome session with the PhD Programme Director, Dr. Salma Zaman. The session provided students with an opportunity to begin their programme with a clearer understanding of the academic environment and the journey ahead.
Together, these interactions offered an important introduction to the people and community that will shape the students' experience at SDSB.

Preparing for the Academic Journey Ahead

The orientation also introduced students to some of the essential resources and systems they will use throughout their time at LUMS.
Sessions with Information Technology Services and the Library helped familiarise the incoming cohort with the digital and academic resources available to support their work. As students begin a research-intensive journey in their respective fields of Organisational Behaviour and Strategy and Operations Management, access to information, technology and university resources will form an important part of their academic experience.

A Zambeel training session further introduced students to the University's digital systems and processes, helping them navigate important aspects of university life from the outset.

Building Connections with Faculty and Peers

Beyond the academic and administrative sessions, the orientation also created opportunities for students to begin building relationships within the SDSB community.

A hi-tea with faculty provided an informal setting for the incoming cohort to interact with members of the School, fostering early connections that can contribute to a supportive and collaborative academic environment.

These interactions are particularly meaningful at the doctoral level, where learning and research are shaped not only by formal coursework and academic requirements, but also by engagement with faculty, peers and the wider research community.

The Beginning of a Research Journey

The PhD Orientation marked more than an introduction to the programme and university systems. It represented the beginning of a new academic and research journey for the incoming cohort.

Through interactions with the School's leadership, faculty and programme administration, as well as introductions to the resources available across LUMS, students began their PhD experience with a stronger understanding of the community they are joining.

As the new cohort embarks on this journey in Organisational Behaviour and Strategy and Operations Management, SDSB looks forward to supporting them as they engage with new ideas, develop as researchers and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their respective fields.