We take pride in our graduate students who upon completion of their MPhil from the institute have gone on to make important contributions to the academia and development sector.

Amna Zaidi

Amna Zaidi is a Research Associate at Tabadlab and has previously worked as a Research Fellow at the Graduate Institute of Development Studies, Lahore School of Economics. She has worked on the research project “Economic History of Pakistan” and her work looked at determining the socio-economic status of Sindh during pre-Mughal, Mughal, and British Rule from 1550 onward. She has also conducted field research for a joint project between the World Bank and the Lahore School of Economics on the effect of caste on educational opportunities in rural Punjab.

Ms. Zaidi is an experienced researcher who is familiar with conducting background research, literature review, formulation of data tools to help quantify qualitative concepts.

Anam Ikram

I knew this was my calling, the moment I read about it on the university website. Yes, Lahore school of Economics was finally offering an MPhil degree in Development studies, a field I always felt passionate about.

My undergrad was a double major in Economics and Finance from Lahore School of Economics, four extremely important and memorable years of my life that I will always cherish. But it was this particular MPhil programme that changed my life!

I am fortunate to have interacted with extremely inspiring and charismatic professors, who brought out the best in me. I learned to analyse and critically evaluate historical events as well as current affairs. Not only did the course of a year boost my confidence with regards to expressing myself, but also provided me with great exposure. The entire learning process was enjoyable for me which is why I believe I was able to excel in this particular programme.

I am currently settled in Germany where I am taking a break from studies to adapt to the life here and look after my ever-so-demanding precious little baby girl. I have plans to resume my journey in the field of research soon.

Muhammad Aqeel Awan

Aqeel completed his M.Phil in Development Studies from GIDS, LSE in 2018. His dissertation focused on a Transgender community of Pakistan, commonly known as Khawajasiras. He is currently working as a Research Associate at LUMS. Aqeel takes deep interest in studying dispossession and dispossessed communities. His research primarily focuses on gender, sexuality and queer studies.

In his free time, Aqeel likes to read and write poetry and short stories.

Rida Riaz

Rida Riaz is currently a PhD candidate and teaching assistant at Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre, Monash University, Australia. She received her MPhil degree in Development Studies from Graduate Institute of Development Studies, Lahore School of Economics. Rida had held a position in British Council Pakistan as lead core skills educational trainer. She joined Centre for International Migration, Remittances and Diaspora (CIMRAD), Lahore School of Economics as Research Associate and presented her work at an International course in Florence, Italy. Rida has also published her research in an international impact factor journal.

GIDS had played a profound role in my professional and personal growth. The knowledge and guidance I had received from the faculty enabled me to excel both at national and international level.