Alums Come Together to Establish Professorship

Hyder Ahmad, W'90, parent, and Faisal S. Al Shoaibi, W'90, jointly endowed a Presidential Professorship with a gift of $1.5 million, including matching funds. The gift establishes the Arifa Hasan Ahmad and Nada Al Shoaibi Presidential Professorship, to be held by a faculty member in Penn Arts & Sciences with a preference for a scholar focused on data science. The professorship is named in honor of their mothers. 

Presidential Professorships are awarded to exceptional scholars, at any rank.  Selected on the basis of their achievements, with an emphasis on enhancing the diversity of Penn’s faculty, Presidential Professors enrich the academic community and bring new perspectives to our students and faculty.

“Diverse voices are needed in classic and cutting-edge fields of study to broaden our perspectives and lead us to new frontiers of knowledge,” says Penn President Amy Gutmann. “I am grateful that Hyder and Faisal have come together to make this impactful gift to help us continue to recruit excellent, diverse faculty members who advance knowledge and prepare our students to be critical thinkers and leaders in an ever-changing world.”

“On the occasion of our 30th reunion, Faisal and I wanted to show support for the institution that gave us our starts,” says Hyder. Faisal adds, “We could think of no better investment in Penn than a professorship that will impact research and learning for students now and long in the future.”

Steven J. Fluharty, Dean and Thomas S. Gates Jr. Professor of Psychology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience, says, “Faculty impact everything we do and our ability to recognize and reward them is critical for the School. Hyder and Faisal make this possible through their generous and thoughtful gift, and we are deeply appreciative.”

Hyder Ahmad, W'90, graduated with a degree in economics and a concentration in finance. He is a member of the Penn Arts & Sciences Board of Overseers and the Asia Campaign Leadership Committee. Hyder’s previous Penn support includes the Ahmad Family Endowment for Penn Global Seminars in Arts and Sciences, the Arts & Sciences Annual Fund, and volunteer service on the Power of Penn Host Committee in Hong Kong. Hyder is the founder and Chief Investment Officer of Broad Peak Investment Advisers Pte Ltd., based in Singapore. 

Faisal S. Al Shoaibi, W'90, graduated with a degree in economics and a dual concentration in finance and management. He is a member of the Penn Europe Middle East and Africa Leadership Committee and previously established the Faisal Al-Shoaibi Scholarship Fund. He is a director at the Shoaibi Group, based in Saudi Arabia.