Rising with Purpose

In an era of complexity and rapid change, the value of social sciences and humanities has never been more evident. These disciplines help us understand the human experience—our histories, relationships, conflicts, and aspirations. By exploring human behavior, history, language, and systems of power, these fields help individuals make sense of their place in society and engage more thoughtfully with others. They also encourage creative and reflective thinking, preparing students to contribute meaningfully to public life, policy, and community well-being. Recognizing this, the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) established the Department of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts in 2013, planting the seeds for what would soon become one of the most distinctive academic ventures in the higher education institutions of Pakistan.

Over the past decade, the department has grown from a modest beginning into a vibrant intellectual hub. With a dynamic faculty team and an expanding portfolio of undergraduate majors and minors—many rarely offered in Pakistan—the program has distinguished itself through its interdisciplinary curriculum and deep commitment to liberal arts education.

A transformative moment came in 2021 when IBA underwent academic restructuring and formed three dedicated schools. This move renewed institutional strength in disciplines like economics, psychology, political science, and history, while allowing the humanities to flourish through updated programs and fresh faculty appointments. Importantly, throughout this transition, the core values of interdisciplinary inquiry, creativity, and curiosity were preserved and elevated as guiding principles.

Today, the School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS) is not just a place of instruction but a space of innovation and impact. The Economics Department has earned national recognition for its flagship annual State of the Economy report and its faculty’s active engagement with government bodies in policymaking, development planning, and project evaluation. Meanwhile, the Social Sciences and Liberal Arts Department has evolved into five specialized clusters—Literature, Political Science, History, Media Studies, and Psychology—offering a rich array of cutting-edge courses. Some of the electives like Science and Medicine in Islamic Societies 700 – 1700, Empire and Vision: Between Production and Representation of South Asian Cities, Intellectual and Cultural History of Muslim Spain, Screening the Body: Gender, Race and Nation in Visual Culture, Lights, Camera, History: Representations of Medieval South Asia in Bollywood, The Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires reflects a commitment to academic depth and originality rarely seen elsewhere in the country.

Beyond the classroom, SESS is investing in spaces where research thrives. The Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) supports faculty and students in developing creative policy solutions to global challenges, hosting regular seminars, and fostering international collaborations. Another research center, the Population Research Center, focuses on vital issues like rural-to-urban migration, fertility, and nutrition. Three research labs—the Social Inequality Lab, the Economic Growth and Forecasting Lab, and the Psychology Lab—offer further avenues for students and faculty to pursue data-driven inquiry and real-world experimentation.