Dr Asif Raza, is currently the Rector University of Management & Technology, Lahore & President of Association of Management Development Institutions in Pakistan (AMDIP). His distinguished career of over 40 years, is a strong blend of Academics, Higher Education Management, and Industry. He served Pakistan Air Force for 34 years, where he rose to the rank of Air Vice Marshal, being the highest rank of his branch. Prior to joining UMT in October 2021, he was Pro-Rector (Academics) at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad.
Dr. Asif Raza did his BE (Avionics) from the most prestigious PAF College of Aeronautical Engineering and achieved top position and won the coveted sword of honor. He completed his MSc (Electronics) from Southampton University, UK and PhD (Communication & Electronic Systems Engineering) from Beijing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics, PR China. In recognition of his outstanding performance, the government of Pakistan has conferred upon him the awards of Hilal-e-Imtiaz (M) and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (M).
During his service in PAF, he worked as a faculty member at PAF College of Aeronautical Engineering, a premier institution of the country and the constituent college of National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST). The PAF also afforded him with numerous other challenging opportunities that enabled him to gain extensive experience of working on high-tech equipment including aircrafts, radars and communication & navigation systems and has had the unique distinction of being part of the JF-17 aircraft development project. As part of the JF-17 project he worked closely with the European, Chinese, and British aircraft industry.
Dr Asif Raza brings with him vast experience of international projects and contracts. He has served as Director General, Research Centre, Modeling & Simulation, Pro-Rector (Academics & Research) and Pro-Rector (Academics) in NUST. He is a strong advocate of merit based efficient decision making with special focus on quality enhancement measures to achieve highest academic standards. During his tenure of nearly 14 years, NUST grew in size & stature. Several new schools & departments were raised, and the number & quality of programs improved significantly. NUST was regarded as one of the most prestigious higher education institution of the country and it was ranked amongst the top 400 Universities of the world, as per QS Ranking.
Dr Asif Raza believes that passionate faculty and Deans with qualities of professionalism, sacrifice and integrity are the key essentials of success. He is convinced that UMT with its current ranking of 150 amongst young universities of the world and 114 in Asia as per THE ranking of 2023, is now well poised to be amongst the leading universities of the world.