Making Microfinance Work: Managing for Improved Performance April 7-18, 2008

 SEDC-LUMS in collaboration with Pakistan Microfinance Network (PMN) and International Labour Organization (ILO) will conduct a training program on Making Microfinance Work: Managing for Improved Performance. Its aim is to develop a resource of Master Trainers who will receive training to enhance their skills in the areas of management, marketing, Organizational  architecture and other related fields. The training programme is designed for middle managers in MFPs department managers, internal auditors, regional managers, branch managers and “managers-in-training”. Training will be held from April 7 – 18, 2008

Customized Training Programme: May 19-21 & June 18-20 , 2008

SEDC-LUMS is initiating customized training programmes for the organizations who are interested in developing the skills and knowledge base of their employees. SEDC-LUMS will design and deliver a training programme for Kashf Foundation. The program aims to strengthen the focus of Kashf values and mission amongst its employees and improve their ability to handle problematic situations and make effective decisions. The training will be delivered in five modules. First three modules will be held from 19-21 May, 2008 and last two modules will be held from 18-20 June, 2008.

Development of Teaching Material signs a contract with European Union Case Clearing House (ecch): An All time high for DTM

A contract has been signed with European Case Clearing House (ecch), Cranfield University, whereby ecch will display, distribute and sell 110 cases and notes developed by Development of Teaching Material (DTM) Task, against a royalty payable to LUMS. The material under this contract also includes Urdu translations of 75 DTM cases. This might just be the very first time that material in Urdu will be on their database!
The cases and notes will also be made available by ecch on McKinsey On-line access, CasePlace, Case Centre Japan and through Babson College, USA.
Incidentally, all DTM cases/notes were earlier accepted for display on the database of Asian Business Case Centre, Nanyang University. The material will be uploaded by them very soon.

Social Enterprise Management Programme (SEMP) emphasizes on team building & leadership

The first module of the Social Enterprise Management Programme Cohort VI, viz. ‘Leadership, Teambuilding and Human Resource Management’ was delivered in September 2007 in Lahore. Dr. Arif Nazir Butt was the Course Director for this module. Dr. Syed Mubashir Ali, Dr. Anwar Khurshid and Dr. Farzad Rafi Khan were the facilitators.
Some 37 participants selected from all over Punjab working in the NGO sector were trained during this session. The current participants consisted of approximately 59% men and 41% women. The participants showed interest in networking among themselves and with other SEMP participants.
The overall response by the participants indicated that they were satisfied with the learning environment, relevance of the topics and methodology adopted by the LUMS faculty.

The first SEDC Staff Development Programme  

The Social Enterprise Development Centre staff visited Khewra Mines and Katas Fort in connection with SEDC Staff Development Programme. This was the first informative recreational trip of its kind in the history of SEDC. On the visit to Khewra Mines, the team members were briefed about the history as well as the global significance of mines. Later, SEDC team explored the historic Katas Fort viewing some Hindu rituals taking place over there. The centre’s management arranged for a lavish lunch and tea for the whole team and all the crew expressed great pleasure after this one day trip ended. The Centre vows to hold more of such activities in future that too with short intervals.

SEDC brings LUMS live on CNBC

The Social Enterprise Development Centre has facilitated the leading business channel CNBC to host a live talk show in LUMS that was purely for student community. On the eve of Independence Day August 14, the talk show titled ‘Vision 2030’ went on air courtesy CNBC live from Saeed Saigol Auditorium with the house full of students from LUMS, Aitchison College, LACAS, FC College and Punjab University to share their understanding on Vision 2030, presented by the government. The Vision 2030 document was brought under discussion by the students and the penalists as to see this document’s approach in practical context. The penalists included Dr. Salman Shah, advisor to PM, Dr. Akmal from Beacon House National University and Javed Qureshi, a prominent industrialist of the country.

ShARE-LUMS & SEDC-LUMS Seminar Reform

Sharing Analysis on Regional Economics, a non profit research centered organization for students arranged a seminar in collaboration with LUMS Social Enterprise Development Centre to view the prospects of ‘Jobs & Challenges in NGOs’ in Sayed Saigol Auditorium, LUMS on July 13, 2007. Opportunities and challenges facing careers in NGO sector were discussed by the speakers who represented RBI, CIDA, Kashf Foundation and Save the Children USA.

Opening the seminar, Javaid William Manager SEDC gave a brief presentation of SEDC work areas as well as the objective of the seminar. He said that by collaborating for such activities, SEDC is fulfilling its corporate social responsibility towards social sector in particular and the society in general.

Dr. Faiz Shah from CIDA gave the view that the best jobs in the NGO sector were the ones we create for ourselves. He discussed the diversities in various job positions and the work categories in NGOs. He also mentioned the skills required for securing a job in an NGO along with the choices and benefits available for the one choosing to be an active part of any NGO. The Executive Director Responsible Business Initiative, Ambreen Waheed talked about the emerging trend of consultancies in Pakistani NGOs. She said that like in any other profession, a consultant is required to give advice and help people and companies to solve their professional issues.

Talking on demand & supply of professionals in NGOs, Khalid Kabeer from Kashf Foundation said that there was an intensive need of human resource and its management in the NGO sector. He termed the general perception of people that an NGO was more suitable for women as the biggest threat to NGOs in Pakistan nowadays. Talking lastly to the participants, Yasser Qayum from Save the Children USA discussed the importance of subject specialists for international NGOs in Pakistan. Adding that it was a donor-driven culture, Yasser said that measuring success in social change just after a short span was really tough.

The seminar was attended by a number of LUMS students, staff and faculty members who were of the view that such activities will help in creating awareness about job market in NGO sector and will provide a platform for NGOs and students interested for employment discuss the points of mutual interest.

The overall management of the seminar was taken care of by SEDC team members who put in their best efforts to make it happen. The programme logistics were looked after by Dilnawaz Khan, Rabia Moazzam Khan and Mirza Abdul Majid whereas communication and marketing was handled by Memoona Arslan. 

Gender Reform Action Plan [GRAP], Wednesday 27th June 2007

Gender Sensitization Task at LUMS-McGill Social Enterprise Development Centre is organizing an “Orientation Seminar on Gender Reform Action Plan [GRAP]”, in collaboration with the Home Department, Government of Punjab [GMU-GRAP] on Wednesday, June 27, 2007.

The Gender Team at LUMS-SEDC along with the Home Department, Government of Punjab [GMU-GRAP] has planned to organize a one day seminar on the introduction and implementation strategies of Gender Reform Action Plan. This activity will help in understanding the essence of GRAP and aid the development of the next GRAP plan.

Women's Leadership Programme Delegation at LUMS-McGill SEDC

The 22-member delegation from NRSP - Institute of Rural Management Islamabad visited LUMS-McGill Social Enterprise Development Centre during their Women's Leadership Programme. These members were a true representation from across Pakistan in every sense of word. From Baltistan to Tharparkar and Mansehra to Sahiwal, the women mobilizers from different NGOs in the country were a part of the delegation. They visited different departments of LUMS in general and SEDC in particular.

The SEDC management briefed them about programmes and upcoming trainings at the centre. Gender Task Leader & LUMS faculty member Ms Kashmali Khan was also present to reply their queries about the Gender Sensitization task initiated by SEDC.

On the Job Assistance Summer Internship Awards-May 18, 2007

The On the Job Assistance Summer Internship Award Ceremony and Orientation Programme took place on May 18, 2007 in REC 1. The Director LUMS-McGill Social Enterprise Development Centre Dr. Syed Mubashir Ali discussed the output of the OJA Internships with the successful interns of last three years. OJA Task Leader & LUMS faculty member Azmat Malik briefed the participants about the objectives of the programme. The current structure of the internship programme was also overviewed in order to make it more effective and result oriented in the future.

The interns and NGOs officials present at the moment shared their experiences during the programme with the SEDC management along with suggesting certain improvement measures for OJA Summer Internships. The objective of the Internship Awards was to get NGO officials and successful interns together with the involved members of SEDC so that a future strategy could be devised keeping in view the past achievements and experiences. The successful interns were presented certificates by Dr. Syed Mubashir Ali at the end of the programme.

SEDC Social Sector Action Plan 2007

The 'Social Sector Action Plan 2007' symposium held on 13-14 April was a success in the true spirit of the word. The event was hosted by Social Enterprise Development Centre (SEDC) in order to celebrate as well as evaluate SEDC's efforts in the development sector through its training programmes, research based network and consultancies.

The two-day symposium was attended by civil society leaders, economists, and representatives from donor agencies. It brought together some 250 plus stakeholders of SEDC from all over the country, along with prominent personalities engaged in the development sector of Pakistan. Donor agencies/organizations such as Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), USAID, CITI Foundation and J.E Austin participated in panel discussions to look into the scope of funding social development programmes in Pakistan. Also present at the symposium were Dr. Peter Schneider from McGill University, Canada and Dr. Raafat Saade from Concordia University, Canada.

The Social Sector Action Plan 2007 focused on presentations and panel discussions that analyzed the input of SEDC in building the capacity of NGO personnel in various fields. The inaugural session opened with Dr.
Syed Zahoor Hassan, Vice Chancellor LUMS, giving the welcome address. Dr.
Zahoor termed the LUMS-McGill SEDC as the 'Conscience of LUMS', for its participation in nation building activities through strengthening the capacity of social organizations. He mentioned that the expanding NGO sector was itself facing new challenges which would be addressed by enhancing the managerial capacity of NGO organizations.

Mr. Razak Dawood, Rector LUMS and former Commerce Minister, said that change in Pakistan had to come from the grass roots level, and there was a need to enhance the capacity of social sector organizations. He stressed the importance of improving the capacity and capability of NGOs in order to bring about a meaningful change in the quality of life of poor people.

Addressing the second day's session, Mr. Javed Jabbar, former Federal Minister and Chairperson IUCN, laid stress on the need to ensure sustainability of a number of NGOs and other social sector organizations operating in Pakistan. Mr. Javed Jabbar said that volunteer work had long been missing from the social development scene of Pakistan. He was of the view that without volunteer work, sustainability and smooth operations of social sector organizations was not possible.

Other speakers urged the local corporate sector to operate as socially responsible entities and facilitate the NGOs in their commendable efforts for social uplift. Social sector professionals not only highlighted issues, challenges, scope and future strategies in the social sector of Pakistan, but also inspired the audience and helped them to widen their horizons. SEDC trainees, who had been receiving training from SEDC in various capacities for the past six years, shared their experiences with other participants while giving their feedback to SEDC.

Gender Awareness Workshop - 30th March 2007

Gender remains a priority of all CIDA activities and is a theme that cuts across all its projects.The Gender team at SEDC-LUMS has organized a one-day workshop on “Gender Awareness”. This workshop invites participants to think and engage in a dialogue on what ‘gender’ means, and is specifically designed as a way of building gender awareness.

Ms. Kishwar Sultana, Gender Coordinator, CIDA Devolution Support Project [CDSP] will be the facilitator for the workshop. Ms. Kashmali Khan, Gender Task Leader [SEDC-LUMS] and Ms. Saba Wallace, Gender Officer [SEDC-LUMS] will co-facilitate the activity.

Joint Project Management Committee Meeting, March 2007

Javaid William, Manager Social Enterprise Development Centre has just visited McGill University, Canada along with Rabia Moazzam Khan, Budget & Finance Officer Social Enterprise Development Centre for Annual Joint Project Management Committee Meeting.

The series of meetings was held with CIDA and McGill University's representatives, who included Dr. Peter Schneider, Dr. Raafat Saade, Peter Hoffman, Blaine Marchand, Colette Chomsky and Ekaterina Loban. The visit was a success in terms of feed back from CIDA Monitoring Team that visited SEDC earlier in February 2007. The CIDA Monitoring Team has expressed their complete confidence in the current policies and work plans of SEDC. Approval of the work plan 2007-2008 along with its budget was the other big achievement of SEDC representatives visiting McGill University.

The meetings focused on the SEDC financial reports of last year and the SEDC Finance & Budget Officer briefed them about the issues she was having in budget handling. The highlight of the visit was discussions on Impact Assessment & SEDC Symposium 2007 'Social Sector Action Plan'. The SEDC team members gave overview of the upcoming SEDC Symposium in these meetings. Further the Impact Assessment initiated at SEDC for assessment of different tasks was brought to light by Javaid William, the manager SEDC. Future strategy and financial sustainability of the centre were the key areas discussed in the series of meetings.

SEMP module (IV)

The Social Enterprise Management Programme module (IV) was successfully completed at REC in August. The module focused on 'Financial Management & Budget' with Junaid Ashraf directing it. The module ended up providing relevant and modern management training to more than 45 NGO managers.

DSSO Final Module

The District Social Services Officers' Training Programme's final module was wrapped up after 6-day training (October) session with emphasis on 'Budget & Finance'. The programme served as a platform for different districts' officers including nazims and naib nazims not only to learn from the esteemed faculty members of LUMS but also to interact with each other for a whole week and have result oriented discussions. The Associate Dean Suleman Dawood School of Business Dr. Syed Mubashar Ali was the module director.

SEMP Final Module

The fifth and the last module of Social Enterprise Management Programme, Monday November 6 - Friday 17, 2006 was held in Rausing Executive Centre. This module was about training on 'Fundraising, Marketing and Advocacy' pertaining to NGOs management in the country. A large number of course participants attended the final module to complete their training. It has now developed a cadre of Master Trainers, trained to enhance skills in the areas of general management, operations, finance, marketing and other related fields. The trained number of NGO managers is 200 plus after the programme reached its end. The module Director Ehsan ul Haq, former Dean Suleman Dawood School of Business headed the two-week course.

SEDC Newsletter

The first ever newsletter of SEDC was made possible in October 2006. This is going to be a quarterly product and the second volume will be out in the first week of coming year.

Brochures

The revised version of On the Job Assistance brochure is in its final stages. The Developing of Teaching Material brochure is completed and needs printing only.

The Book Launch

SEDC intends to launch the upcoming volume of DTM along with introducing the last 4 in a state-of-the-art ceremony, in order to bring the work to light. The ceremony will be held in early January 2007 after the publishers hand over the 5th volume to DTM team.

Media Highlights

All the above mentioned programmes have been given due coverage by print and electronic media. The former Director SEDC Dawood Ghazanvi participated in a live talk show on CNBC discussing 'Microfinance'. Dean Suleman Dawood School of Business, Dr. Jawaid A Ghani was interviewed by CNBC on the certificate ceremony of SEMP final module in REC. The Manager SEDC Javaid William also spoke on different media platforms on the completion of DSSO final module. SEDC Communication Office has bought time slot on CNBC to highlight the centre's activities and achievements in the media too. We have sent them the requests with the expression of interest from willing staff/faculty of LUMS and hope to get a speedy response from their side.

NGO Pulse - An Interactive Dialogue: Balancing Socio-economic development and Financial Sustainability

The NGO Pulse component of the Social Enterprise Development Centre (SEDC) at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) is holding an interactive dialogue on Balancing Socio-economic Development and Financial Sustainability in the sphere of microfinance.

Purpose:The purpose of this dialogue is to provide a platform for microfinance practitioners from NGOs, commercial banks, and specialized microfinance institutions to discuss issues and share experiences.

Dr Gaamaa Hishigsuren:This event is also an excellent opportunity to meet Dr Gaamaa Hishigsuren, our keynote speaker. She has substantial experience in microenterprise development finance. She is an international fellow at the Microfinance Management Institute (jointly established by CGAP and Open Society Institute). In addition to the National University of Mongolia, she is working with the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) to develop a microfinance training programme.

Other key speakers at the Interactive Dialogue are:

• Ghalib Nishtar, CEO, Khushali Bank
• Syed Mohsin Ahmad, General Manager, Pakistan Microfinance Network
• Inshan Ali Nawaz, CEO, First Microfinance Bank Limited
• Roshaneh Zafar, President, Kashf Foundation
• Dr Amjad Saqib, CEO, Akhuwat


Day and Date : Thursday, 3 rd August, 2006
Venue: Rausing Executive Centre, LUMS
Time: 9:30 am sharp

OJA - Summer Internship Award & Orientation Programme

The OJA - Summer Internship Award & Orientation Programme will be held in LUMS on May 12, 2006. LUMS students who have successfully completed their NGO internships in 2005 will be awarded completion certificates. An orientation for the upcoming Summer Internships, 2006 will also be presented. Mr Sajjad Haider, Association for Development of Pakistan and Dr Abdul Tawab Khan, CEO, Rising Sun Institute for Special Children will present their views on the OJA programme. A few students will also share their experiences of the internship process.

NGO Partnership in Entrepreneurial Opportunities Conference

Sponsored by SEDC, will be held on 28th February 2006 in Auditorium 10 (A-10) in LUMS. This is the first step in a joint venture to promote locally produced goods by Pakistani NGOs in the national and international market. NGOs participating in the conference are Sungi Foundation, Rising Sun Institute, Caritas Lahore, Caritas Multan, Awards Faislabad, Kaarvan Crafts, CARE, Awaz-e-Niswan, Child Care Foundation, Family Planning Association, Alif Laila Bus Society, Association of Network for Community Empowerment and many more.

Rhodes Scholarship

Salman Asim (Research Associate at SEDC) has been elected as the

Rhodes Scholar for 2005-2006. He is the ninth Rhodes Scholar

from LUMS. Currently he is working with Dr Ali Cheema on devolution and governance issues  focussing primarily on the Local Government Reforms in Pakistan and intends to pursue Mphil. Economics at Oxford University.

Workshop on Pakistan's Devolution Reforms:

Lessons, Experiments & Challenges - June 1-2, 2005 at LUMS

The LUMS-McGill Social Enterprise Development Programme Workshop on Devolution provided a unique opportunity for local government managers, federal and provincial government officials, political bodies, citizen-based and social organizations, academia and multilateral agencies to come together and analyze the lessons learnt from the first electoral cycle of Pakistan's 2000 local government reforms. (Click here for photos)

Devolution Workshop Schedule

Summer Internship 2004 Symposium
The Summer Internship Symposium was held on 5th of April, 2005 in LUMS. The students and the respective NGOs benefited from this programme for it enhanced the learning of the student internees and facilitated the NGOs in their various activities.
To celebrate this success and to encourage LUMS students to work in the social sector a symposium was arranged where students were given certificates on successfully completing the programme. (Click here for photos)

Social Enterprise Management Programme (SEMP) - 2005, Lahore

The second Social Enterprise Management Programme in Lahore concluded in July 2005. The third Social Enterprise Management Programme for 2005-6 has been initiated in Lahore and Peshawar. This programme, like all the others before it, consists of five modules, spread over one year from November 2005 to November 2006 in Lahore and from DEcember 2005 to December 2006 in Peshawar. Mocule 1, titled Leadership, Team building and Human Resource Management has already been concluded in both cities and module 2, titled Strategic Issues in the Social Sector, will begin soon in Lahore and later in Peshawar. (Click here for photos)

The second Social Enterprise Management Programme in Lahore concluded in July 2005. The Programme consisting of five modules was spread over one year from August, 2004 to July, 2005. In the Certificate Award Ceremony held on July 29th, 2005 certificates were awarded by the Chief Guest, Dr. Amjad Saqib , former GM of PRSP to all SEMP participants who successfully completed the full programme.

SEMP generally consists of the following modules (sequence may change):

• Strategic Issues
• Teambuilding and Human Resource Management.
• Operations Management & Programme Planning
• Financial management and Budgets
• Fundraising, Marketing & Advocacy

Another such programme with similar modules was concluced in Karachi in Septmeber, 2005.

District Social Service Officers Training Programme - (DSSO)

The District Social Service Officers Training Programme provides capacity building training focused at local government functionaries.

The first cohort of the District Social Service Officer Training Programme successfully concluded in March, 2005. Three modules were used for this training: the first 1-week module was on Project Management, from October from 11- 16, 2004; the second 1-week module, on Leadership and Governance was held from Feb. 7-12, 2005 ; and the last module, on Budgeting and Finance was held from March 21-26, 2005.

The second cohort of DSSO training programme was initiated in February, 2006. The first module viz. Operations & Project Management commenced on February 27, 2006 and ended on March 4, 2006. Dr Jamshed H. Khan and Dr Amjad Saqib welcomed the participants to the first module of the programme.

A total of 52 participants joined the training programme. Out of these, 32 were elected members and 20 were administrative officers. Guest speakers were invited from the Government Sector. Additional Chief Secretary & Secretary Local Government Mr Najuibullah Malik gave an overview of New Local Govt. System and its issues and challenges. In the panel discussion, Secretary Health, Secretary School and Secretary Non formal education discussed the devolved system and latest changes in Government policies. (Click here for photos)

TOT Symposium

The TOT Symposium was held at LUMS on May 15, 2004. It provided an excellent opportunity to the TOT participants to showcase their writing endeavours; participants also received certificates for successfully completing the programme and their case studies. (Click here for photos)

NGO Pulse Workshop

The NGO Pulse consultative workshop titled 'Role of NGOs in primary education in Pakistan' was held in LUMS on April 17, 2004. The purpose of this workshop was to elevate our understanding about the nature of NGOs' involvement in Pakistan's basic primary education and to identify challenges facing it and the role of NGOs vis-à-vis the private and public sector. (Click here for photos)

LUMS-McGILL CASE METHOD WORKSHOP

This five day extensive workshop was held in LUMS from February 16 - 20, 2004. The workshop was sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency and James A. Erskine of the Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada was the instructor.  (Click here for photos)

A participant at ShARE

Dr. Salman Shah, Dr. Akmal and Mr. Javid Qureshi

SEDC Staff Meeting

Mr. Azmat Malik at OJA Symposium

Dr. Mubashir,SEDC Director, presenting shield to Dr. Peter Schneider,CIDA

Dr. Rafat Saade, Dr. Peter Schneider and representatives of Funding Agencies

Gender Workshop, Ms. Kishwar Sultana

Javaid William, Manager SEDC Rabia Moazzam, Budget & Finance Officer SEDC