The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS).
IDS are establishing international development research and mutual learning hubs in four pilot countries, with the joint aims of meeting domestic development priorities and influencing development agendas internationally. Pakistan is one of these hubs, and this MoU provides a productive and mutually beneficial framework for future collaborations that will contribute to the knowledge, action and leadership needed to improve human development outcomes in South Asia and globally. The agreement harnesses IDS and LUMS complementary expertise across research, learning, and practice.
LUMS is one of Pakistan’s leading Universities and shares our commitment to research and innovation that transcends academic disciplines and geographical boundaries. Our research collaborations span decades and include work on the Research Centre for the Future State and the ongoing Action for Empowerment and Accountability programme. Dr Ali Cheema, Director of LUMS’ Mahbub ul Haq Research Centre (MHRC) is a member of IDS’ Board of Trustees. And several members of IDS staff have previously taught at LUMS and continue to maintain links to promote academic exchange.
Collaboration on the South Asia Human Development Report
As well as committing to a closer working relationship around shared research and teaching priorities, the MoU solidifies our interest in collaborating on the South Asia Human Development Report.
Within LUMS we will work closely with the Mahbub ul Haq Research Centre (MHRC) to produce the flagship periodic South Asia Human Development Report. MHRC has been a centre of excellence in social science research since it was founded in 1995 by Dr. Mahbub ul Haq, pioneer of the UNDP Human Development Reports. The Centre has published 19 South Asia Human Development reports, focusing on education, health, women’s empowerment, poverty reduction, agricultural development, regional cooperation and governance. These reports have been used widely by policy makers, academic institutions and development practitioners in the region.
Mobilising the in-house expertise and networks of both institutes, we will bring together work and partnerships on multiple themes within Pakistan and South Asia to deepen and enhance engagement with the problems, perspectives and institutions of the country. IDS will support LUMS by convening existing partners in other South Asian countries – something that is becoming harder to do from inside the region. Together we will collaborate on research engagement, capacity-strengthening and professional development with policymakers, researchers, civil society, and private sector actors, among others.
IDS Director, Melissa Leach said:
“We are delighted to affirm our long-standing partnership with LUMS. Only through equitable and sustainable partnerships can we transform the knowledge needed for better lives. Signing this agreement represents an important opportunity to promote mutual learning, exchange and knowledge generation through regional networks that challenge entrenched attitudes about whose knowledge counts and that actively shape new development research and learning agendas.”
Ali Cheema, Director of MHRC at LUMS said:
“The biggest 21st century challenge is to help construct a political and economic system that propels prosperity and uses it to collectively fight the spectres of disease, hunger and lack of opportunity at the local, national, regional and global levels. The LUMS-IDS collaboration sees addressing this challenge as its ‘call for action’ by contributing evidence and ideas that can bring about transformative change to build inclusive states and societies.”
