Student Success

Dr Amer Majeed

Taught 1986–1988

MBBS FCARCSI FRCA FFICM · Consultant Anaesthesiologist (Transplant) & Medical Quality Director · Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine

I had the privilege of being taught Biology by Mr Daud Abdul Samad from 1986 to 1988. Almost four decades later, what remains with me is not a particular textbook lesson, but the way he made us experience science.

I remember constructing a life-size three-dimensional model of DNA, painstakingly dissecting and mounting an earthworm for display, and spending time outdoors learning to recognise the botanical species growing around our college. Perhaps most memorably, our Biology Society travelled with him for a week to the northern areas of Pakistan—taking learning well beyond the classroom.

Looking back now, I realise how unusual that approach was for its time. Biology was not simply something to memorise for an examination. We were encouraged to observe, handle, dissect, construct, explore and ask questions. He made the natural world itself part of the laboratory.

I subsequently became a doctor, specialising in anaesthesiology and intensive care medicine, and have spent much of my career in complex transplant anaesthesia, patient safety, medical education and clinical quality. I also teach medical students and young doctors. Curiosity and learning by doing have remained central to the way I approach both medicine and teaching.

It is striking that, nearly forty years later, these are the memories of school Biology that have survived. I think that says something important about a teacher: we may forget many of the facts we were taught, but we remember the person who taught us how to discover them.

Dr Ikram Akhtar

Lawrence College Alum

Senior Consultant, Pediatric Critical Care · Medical Director, Pediatric Critical Care Unit, Northwestern Medicine (25 years) · 30+ years in medicine · United States

I have the pleasure to write this recommendation for Mr Daud Abdul Samad. Who was the first teacher that got me interested into biology, he was my biology teacher at Lawrence college during my matriculation and intermediate years.

I would say because of his easy way of explaining the basic principles while making it fun to learn, is what really got me interested in biosciences and eventually led me to choose Medical college and pursue a career in medicine.

After Lawrence college I went overseas for medical school and currently have had more than 30 years of career in medicine as a senior consultant in pediatrics critical care in United States. I was the medical director for the pediatric critical care unit in the Northwestern university medical system for 25 years.

I would credit Mr Daud for kindling that flame of biosciences that led me to this long career in medical sciences. I can think of no other finer biology teacher than him.

Respected Sir Daud, Assalam-o-Alaikum Sir. I hope you are keeping well and enjoying good health.

After a very long time, I have been thinking about my days at Lawrence College, Murree, and especially about the teachers who played an important role in shaping our lives. Your Biology classes and your guidance are among the memories I still remember with great respect and affection. Although many years have passed, the respect and gratitude I have for you as my teacher remain unchanged.

I would be truly honoured to reconnect with you and, after all these years, personally express my heartfelt tribute and gratitude for everything you taught us. You were not only our Biology lecturer but also an important part of our formative years.

I sincerely hope I can meet you again sometime and have the privilege of spending a few moments with you.

With the deepest respect and warmest regards, Brig Dr. Muhammad Younis Rao.

Dr Masud Nabi

Taught 1986–87

MBBS, MRCP, FRCP (UK) · Clinical Hematologist, King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Jeddah, KSA

Sir Daud was my Biology teacher in the year 1986-87 when he newly joined Lawrence College Murree. The great thing in his teaching showed his dedication and how to make the subject interesting and easy to understand, which inspired me to develop a deeper interest in the field of medicine.

I did my MBBS then MRCP. FRCP (UK) and currently I'm working as clinical hematologist in King Faisal Specialist hospital Jeddah KSA.

Dr Kamran Zaheer Butt

Lawrence College 1977–1988

Lt Col (Retd., Pak-Army) · MBBS, FCPS Medicine · Consultant Internal Medicine, private sector, Sialkot

I am Lt Col Dr kamran zaheer butt, MBBS, FCPS Medicine. Currently I am working as consultant internal Medicine in private sector Sialkot after retiring from Pak-Army. I studied in Lawrence College Murree from 1977-1988 and then went to Army Medical College Rawalpindi for MBBS.

Whenever I think about my College days (Lawrence College Murree) I always remember Mr Daud AbdulSamad our biology teacher in FSc. A graceful, humble and kind hearted gentleman. As a teacher he was extremely competent, had firm grip on his subject and an excellent way of teaching. He had a God gifted ability to make complicated topics simple enough to be completely understood by the students.

SIR being your student was amazing but having you as my mentor meant even more. You taught me biology but you also taught me patience, curiosity and how not to panic when the frog dissection went wrong. Thank you for believing in me, guiding me and making even boring chapters feel alive.

Sir, I am honoured to have you as my teacher, mentor and the man who guided me in my difficult times. Missing your class and wisdom a lot.

Your student, Dr Kamran Zaheer Butt.