Are you a scholar with a passion for pushing the boundaries of knowledge in your field? Do you dream of pursuing disruptive research while forging meaningful connections between academia and industry? The Shahjehan S. Karim PhD Fellowship Program offered at the Institute of Business Management (IoBM) is designed to empower the next generation of thought leaders in Business Management, Computer Science, Statistics and Scientific Computing, Economics, and Education. This transformative academic opportunity offers not only a stipend to support the student’s academic journey but also a dynamic platform to strengthen research, and shape the future of discipline.
What is the SSK PhD Fellowship Program?
The Shahjehan S. Karim PhD Fellowship Program honors IoBM’s late Founder President, Mr. Shahjehan Syed Karim, who envisioned the establishment of a top-tier educational institution to empower students as future business leaders. Since its founding in 1995, IoBM has become a leading light in Pakistan’s higher education as it marks its 30th year of existence in 2025. The vision of Late Mr. Shahjehan S. Karim was to build a place of learning that promotes excellence, innovation, and leadership through accessible, high-quality education. Today, IoBM shines with its various programs equipping students with cutting-edge research, global insights, and a supportive community.
According to Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kashif, Dean of the College of Business Management (CBM), IoBM, the primary goal of this PhD Fellowship program is to foster academic excellence and research capacity by providing aspiring scholars with comprehensive financial support and institutional resources necessary for doctoral studies.
This PhD Fellowship Program is a highly competitive initiative designed to attract and nurture exceptional doctoral candidates who are aspiring to tackle complex challenges and contribute to cutting-edge advancements in their fields. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kashif highlights that the PhD Fellowship program offers full funding through several key benefits including fully covered tuition, a competitive monthly stipend, and opportunities to earn through teaching or research assistantships. He stressed that this financial model allows students to fully immerse themselves in academic pursuits while contributing to CBM’s teaching and research ecosystem, removing economic barriers for students from diverse backgrounds to focus on high-impact research.
Why Choose Our Program?
IoBM’s Shahjehan S. Karim PhD Fellowship Program stands out for its commitment to fostering excellence, collaboration, and impact. By joining this program, they will become part of a prestigious institution with a legacy of producing influential scholars and leaders. The program’s focus on industry-academia linkages ensures that their research is not only academically rigorous but also practically relevant.
Dr. Nadia Ayub, Dean of the College of Economics and Social Development (CESD), IoBM, stressed that this PhD Fellowship program equips scholars with analytical tools, policy literacy, and interdisciplinary approaches, ensuring graduates can contribute meaningfully to both local and international policy discourses. In Pakistan’s context, Dr. Ayub believes the fellowship provides a critical platform for scholars to address pressing issues like access, quality, skills mismatch, and education financing, generating actionable insights that shape education policy and broader economic strategy.
The fellowship program is open to PhD candidates in five dynamic fields: Business Management, Computer Science, Statistics and Scientific Computing, Economics, and Education. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Abbas, Dean of the College of Computer Science and Information Systems (CCSIS), IoBM shared that “The Shahjahan S. Karim PhD Fellowship Program demonstrates a strong and multi-dimensional congruence with IoBM’s overall research priorities and strategic objectives, as clearly outlined in our rigorous research policy.”
Whether the candidates are exploring innovative business strategies, developing algorithms that redefine technology, analyzing data to solve real-world problems, investigating economic policies, or revolutionizing educational practices, this program will become the launchpad to make a lasting impact.
Dr. Nadia Ayub, underscored the transformative impact of the Shahjehan S. Karim PhD Fellowship Program, describing it as “a strategic investment in Pakistan’s research capacity.” She emphasized that by supporting high-caliber scholars, the fellowship strengthens academic institutions and fosters locally relevant, policy-oriented research, contributing directly to national development priorities, particularly in areas requiring data-driven insights.
Key Benefits of the PhD Fellowship Program
The Shahjehan S. Karim PhD Fellowship Program offers a comprehensive academic experience beyond financial support. Key benefits include:
- Competitive Stipend – Ensures financial stability, allowing scholars to focus fully on research and professional growth.
- Expert Mentorship & Resources – Access to leading faculty, cutting-edge facilities, and research tools.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration – Opportunities to work across diverse fields, fostering innovative, real-world solutions.
- Global Recognition – Research is showcased internationally, enhancing scholarly reputation and future prospects.
According to Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kashif, the program is structured to cultivate active collaboration between doctoral candidates, faculty mentors, and industry stakeholders. He noted that fellows are expected to participate in academic events, workshops, and collaborative research efforts both within and beyond the university.
One of the hallmarks of our PhD Fellowship Program is its commitment to bridging the gap between academia and industry. In today’s rapidly evolving world, collaboration between universities and industries is essential for driving innovation and addressing societal challenges. Our program is designed to create meaningful linkages that benefit both fellows and the broader community.
Reflecting on the program’s impact, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Abbas said, “What makes this program particularly valuable is its development of research human capital. Our fellows operate similarly to junior researchers or research associates, significantly enhancing IoBM’s research talent pool – a key objective we have prioritized in our policy framework.”
A Transformative Fellowship Experience
The Shahjehan S. Karim PhD Fellowship Program offers more than funding—it’s a launchpad for academic and professional growth:
- Freedom to Focus – Financial support and resources empower candidates to dive deeply into research across diverse fields.
- Scholarly Community – Fellows join a network of driven, like-minded researchers fostering collaboration and support.
- Career Advancement – The program builds skills, connections, and credentials for success in academia, industry, or policy.
- Meaningful Impact – Fellows are equipped to address real-world challenges and drive positive change through research.
Reflecting on the program’s impact, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Abbas said, “This fellowship is specifically structured to ’empower prospective scholars to excel in their doctoral studies’ and ‘foster innovative research and academic development,’ directly addressing our central aim of driving research excellence at the university level.
The Shahjehan S. Karim PhD Fellowship Program at IoBM transcends traditional academia, for it will initiate transformative change for doctoral scholars. By empowering candidates to conduct pioneering research, forge industry-academia partnerships, and tackle critical societal issues, it nurtures visionary leaders poised to drive innovation and create lasting impact.
