Has LUMS's First Female Provost Been Dismissed?

Has LUMS's First Female Provost Been Dismissed?
Dr. Farhat Haq, LUMS’s first female Provost, has reportedly been dismissed from her position, while the university administration claims that she has resigned.

Maryam S Khan, a research fellow at The institution of Development and Economic Alternatives (IDEAS) wrote on Twitter, “ So apparently the LUMS Provost has been fired”. 

https://twitter.com/MaryamShKhan/status/1469256881688485891

However, according to an email sent by the Vice-Chancellor Dr. Arshad Ahmad, to students, staff, and faculty, Dr. Haq had “moved on from LUMS”. 

“I am writing to inform you that Dr. Farhat Haq will no longer be the provost and has moved on from LUMS. I would like to thank Dr. Haq for her many contributions and commitment to LUMS”, Ahmad wrote in the email. 

He also appreciated Dr. Haq’s contribution to the university, “Dr. Farhat oversaw LUMS COVID response and actively participated in the Health and Safety Committee. She also spearheaded the Teaching Excellence Framework that is now taking root and has worked hard on Career Progression issues as well as developing the orientation program for new faculty. I want to sincerely thank her and wish her the best of luck in her future endeavours”.  

In a landmark decision last fall, Dr. Farhat Haq was appointed as the University’s Provost. As the first female to hold this role at LUMS, Dr. Haq was selected after a rigorous international search process and a unanimous recommendation by the widely represented Search Committee.

Dr. Haq has a Ph.D. in Political Science from Cornell University, has served at Monmouth College in Illinois for more than 25 years as a Professor, and was previously also Chair of the Department of Political Science.

Friday Times sought comment from the varsity officials over the matter, and their response is awaited.