Dr.Jonathan S. Addleton is serving as the current Rector of Forman Christian College (A Chartered Uni,rersity). A seasoned diplomat, he retired from the U.S. Foreign Service after a long career of 32 years. He has held key positions such as the U.S. Ambas sador to Mongolia and the USAID Mission Director in India, Pakistan, Cambodia, Mon golia and Central Asia. He was also the USAID Representative to the European Union in Brus sels, and the Senior Civilian Representative to Southern Afghanistan based in Kandahar. Dr. Addleton also served as the Executive Director of the American Center for Mongolian Studies, and Adjunct Professor in the Department of International and Global Studies at Mercer University in Macon, GA. During the early days of his career, he worked at the World Bank, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, World Book Encyclopedia and Macon Telegraph. Along with holding a PhD from Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, he is also an accomplished author, having written several books and articles. He has earned numerous accolades in recognition of his contributions, including Mongolia’s highest civilian honor, The Order of the Polar Star, ISAF Service Medal from NATO, and the USAID Administrator’s Distinguished Career Service Award.
Q: FCCU is one of the few liberal arts universities in Pakistan; how does this educational approach enhance the student’s overall learning experience?
A: As a liberal arts university, FCCU offers a comprehensive education that encourages students to explore a diverse range of disciplines while also fostering intellectual curiosity, lifelong learning, and ethical decision-making. At the same time, a liberal arts education with its interdisciplinary approach equips students with transferable skills that are highly valued in today’s ever-changing world including critical thinking, communication, and adaptability.
Q: How do you think FCCU is similar and different from a university of the same size in the US?
A: FCCU is similar to a comparable size university in the US with respect to the qualifications of its faculty, the vibrancy of its student life, the depth and breadth of its course offerings, and the size and beauty of its campus. Like many universities in the US, we also take a global perspective, encouraging students to think critically about international issues while fostering cultural awareness. Moreover, our faculty have advanced degrees from at least 21 different countries. Of course, we also operate within the social and cultural context of Pakistan, providing our students with unique experiences and opportunities that would be difficult to duplicate anywhere else in the world.
Q: Can you share how FCCU supports students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds with financial aid? Also, could you elaborate on the goals of the scholarships offered and how they positively affect the lives of students?
A: Financial aid plays a key role in building and maintaining one of the most vibrant and diverse campus communities in Pakistan. This financial support serves as a gateway to higher education for many students who would otherwise not be able to attend. For example, during the 2023-2024 financial year, Forman provided scholarships valued at PKR 430 million to more than 2,000 students at all levels – Intermediate, Undergraduate, and Post-Graduate. FCCU is dedicated to ensuring that students from economically disadvantaged families can pursue an education. Our tens of thousands of alumni leave a positive impact on their families, communities, country, and indeed the world, all while embodying Forman’s enduring motto: “By Love Serve One Another”.
Q: How do you envision improving student engagement and enhancing the overall student experience on campus?
A: Campus life at Forman is already very vibrant and widely viewed as an integral part of the Forman experience. Throughout the year our student societies organize a wide variety of successful events that help bring our community together. From music nights to inter-university sports competitions to debating and cultural nights, FCCU engages students in a multitude of ways, and that is only the tip of the iceberg. Community service groups organize volunteer projects to give back to the community while academic societies promote specific subjects in ways that both advance student learning and enrich the campus experience.
Q: Could you please discuss the measures and strategies FCCU is employing to encourage diversity and inclusivity, creating an environment that values and
celebrates differences?
A: FCCU has been home to tens of thousands of students over the past 160 years, attracted in part by the rich religious, cultural, ethnic, geographic and socio-economic diversity reflected across our community. The first Sikh officer and the highest ranked Christian general in the Pakistan army were both Forman graduates; the renowned Pakistani diplomat Jamshed Marker who left his library to Forman and was from the Parsi community was also a Formanite. As these examples suggest, Forman has always encouraged diversity, offering students from very different backgrounds an open and respectful environment that encourages students to connect, appreciate and learn from each other. We firmly believe that this diversity makes us a better place.
Q: How is Forman Christian College (A Chartered University) actively contributing to the ever-evolving IT industry landscape?
A: Computer Science is one of the most popular majors at Forman. Partly in response to this interest, we introduced two new MPhil programs last year: Data Science and Software Engineering. Collaborations with IT companies offer opportunities for internships, joint research projects, guest lectures by industry professionals, and mentorship programs. In addition, our Student Activities Office, along with student societies, organizes different competitions and IT-related events, fostering innovation and encouraging the practical application of skills in real-world scenarios. Also, our new Digital Library, situated in our new Campus Center, ranks among the most advanced such libraries in Pakistan.
Q: Could you please walk us through the university’s international linkages? How do these global partnerships benefit your institution in terms of academic excellence?
A: FCCU is an active participant in the Global Liberal Arts Alliance (GLAA), Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), and American International Consortium of Academic Libraries (AMICAL), facilitating a variety of partnerships ranging from academic exchanges to online classes in which Forman students engage with other students from all over the world. In addition, Forman is the first institution in Pakistan seeking accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), the same US-based body that accredits Yale, Harvard, and MIT. Beyond that, our Office of International Education promotes foreign study opportunities for Forman students across the world including in the US, Turkey, Malaysia, South Korea and elsewhere. In addition, Forman students have received a variety of prestigious international fellowships including Fulbright (US), MacBain (Canada), Chevening (UK), and Erasmus (UK), among others; other students have received grants to study in China, Japan, South Korea, and elsewhere. International donors have contributed to Forman as well including the US (UGRAD Fellowship Program), Japan (library books), Germany (media equipment), and South Korea (scientific equipment for water research).
Q: How does the university actively engage with and leverage its alumni network to contribute to the institution’s ongoing success and the professional development of current students?
A: We have a dedicated Advancement and Alumni Office that diligently maintains a robust network with our former students, organizing industry-specific conversations on everything from media to education to IT. These interactions not only strengthen the Forman-Alumni relationship; they also contribute to internships and career placements for current students. In addition, some of our leading donors are Forman graduates who generously give back to us in various forms, especially by supporting student scholarships.
Q: Extracurricular activities are an important source of learning beyond the classroom. How does this apply to FCCU?
A: Forman’s 38 active Student Societies play a pivotal role in shaping the university experience beyond the classroom, providing numerous opportunities that cater to the diverse interests of our students. In addition, they provide students with opportunities to engage in co-curricular activities, showcasing their talents and boosting their confidence while also promoting crucial leadership and management skills.
Q: What measures and initiatives has FCCU adopted to empower women?
A: Women’s empowerment is a priority at FCCU and nearly half our undergraduates and two-thirds of our graduate students are female. Some scholarship programs are designed to specifically benefit women including those from remote areas such as Balochistan, KPK, Gilgit, Baltistan, and even the remote Kalash Valley in northern Pakistan. In addition, Forman’s Women Empowerment Society works tirelessly to promote innovative ideas to empower women. With respect to hostel accommodation, the Cheryl Burke Hope Tower serves as a home away from home for more than 700 female students while another 100 beds will soon be available nearby as the result of the TSA/Forman partnership.
Q: As a renowned institution, FCCU is known for its commitment to student career development. How does the University support its students in their career pursuits?
A: Our Career Services and Internships Office (CSIO) was established specifically to support our students in their career development. This department aims to provide comprehensive guidance and counseling to its students and graduates on career development, assisting students in their job search. The CSIO also maintains links with national and multinational employers, industrialists, government organizations, and distinguished members of the FCCU alumni network. Throughout the year, this office also organizes a wide range of on-campus activities, including career exploration lectures, job fairs, recruitment drives, resume development and career-building workshops, employer-hosted information sessions, mock interviews, and career fairs.
Q: Dr. Addleton, FCCU has shown significant improvement in various aspects over the past few years. Could you please shed some light on the key factors or initiatives you believe have contributed to this positive change and progress?
A: Infrastructure projects completed over the last four years include a world-class Campus Center, Media Lab, Female Hostel, and Sports Fields. In addition, we are well on our way toward using solar energy to meet our energy requirements. Of course, new buildings and innovative infrastructure projects only tell part of the story; in addition, we have promoted international study opportunities while also developing initiatives to attract students including female students from some of the most remote parts of Pakistan. Finally, the opening of the new Jim Tebbe Campus Center is a landmark event, providing impressive space for student activities while also including a Digital Library, Business Incubation Center, Exhibition Hall, Art Gallery, Store, Coffee Shop, and other facilities. During the March 2024 NECHE visit, the accreditation team described our Campus Center as potentially “transformational” — and that is certainly what we intend it to be.
Q: Can you please share your vision for the university and how does this vision strengthen the economic and social fibre of Pakistan?
A: On my arrival at Forman four years ago, I stated that I wanted to strengthen our international partnerships while also deepening the quality of our institution, ensuring recognition for Forman as one of the leading liberal arts universities in South Asia. We have already made significant progress in both areas and I am committed to strengthening those international ties and deepening the quality of our
institution still further in the years ahead.
Q: Moving to a new country can be a significant adjustment. How have you found adapting to the local culture and working with a diverse university community? Is there anything about the local culture or academic environment that surprised you or stood out to you?
A: Having returned to Pakistan after many years away I was prepared for surprises. That said, I was born and raised in Murree; spent winter vacations with my parents in Shikarpur and Hyderabad; and later served as USAID Mission Director in Islamabad following the earthquake that devastated parts of northern Pakistan in October 2005. Against that backdrop, my unexpected return to Pakistan as Rector in November 2020 was like coming home. As it happens, this is the final chapter in my professional career and I want to make the most of it while fulfilling the Forman motto which places service at the center of everything. The fact that this “final chapter” includes the opportunity to live in a historically interesting city with some of the best cuisine and cultural traditions in the world makes it even more wonderful!
Q: Dr. Addleton, how has your global experience shaped your leadership style and approach to higher education?
A: I was fortunate to grow up and live much of my life as a “global nomad”. My early years in Pakistan were certainly a formative experience. But I have also lived and worked for lengthy periods of time in ten other countries: Afghanistan, Belgium, Cambodia, India, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, South Africa, Yemen, and the United States. Each of these experiences have shaped me, both personally and professionally. Every time I moved to a new country, I viewed it as a “learning experience”. Among other things, those experiences have taught me the value of openness, curiosity, and empathy, qualities that are important with respect to both my leadership style and higher education.
Q: How do you balance global education standards with Pakistan’s unique cultural context?
A: The world is increasingly connected — and those connections extend to higher education. Faculty at many Pakistani universities including Forman have earned advanced degrees from a wide range of countries and when they return to Pakistan to teach they bring those experiences with them. Here at Forman, our professors have advanced degrees from at least 21 countries including the US, UK, Canada, France, Russia, China, Japan and South Korea, among others. Their experience in those many different countries also enriches our academic life. As far as standards are concerned, we seek accreditation with the various accreditation bodies in Pakistan. But we are also seeking a major international accreditation, with the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), the same body that accredits Harvard, Yale, MIT and other prominent universities in the United States. In that sense, we strive to be a university uniquely situated in Pakistan yet offering an American-style liberal arts education while also meeting global standards of academic excellence.
Q: What valuable lessons from your international background have you applied to your role at FCCU?
A: I routinely draw on lessons from my career as a diplomat focused primarily on development. As a diplomat, that means working across cultural boundaries and seeking understanding among various countries, cultures and communities. As a former USAID officer, I managed programs and projects in a practical, hands-on way in a variety of settings, providing important leadership and management lessons along the way. Lessons based on that experience include the importance of being open and accessible while also ensuring a high degree of transparency; in addition, it is important to consult with a diverse range of stakeholders in any decision-making process, including most especially at the beginning of it.
Q: How do you balance your professional duties as Rector with your personal life? What hobbies do you enjoy?
A: I realized at the beginning of my time at Forman that serving as a university Rector is a full-time job, leaving little time for hobbies or even a personal life. The fact that my wife Fiona is from Scotland, shares my international perspective and has travelled the world with me helps a lot. We enjoy travel including visits to the various tourist sites in Pakistan. We also enjoy staying connected with our three children, all of whom have professional lives and families of their own — our family call via Zoom each Sunday evening is one of the highlights of our week. As for hobbies, I enjoy reading, with a special interest in travel, history and memoirs.
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of being Rector, and how do you define success in this role?
A: Personal relationships are important to me and I find my personal encounters with students, faculty and staff among the most rewarding aspects of my life at Forman. In this context, it is especially gratifying to welcome and celebrate the success of others, both academically and in their personal lives. The realization that it is possible to make a positive difference in the lives of others also brings many rewards. Indeed, I would define success as the ability to make such a difference. Beyond that, I am firmly committed to the notion that my success depends and is reflected in the success of others.
Q: What advice would you give to students or young professionals aspiring to leadership roles?
A: From my perspective, empathy is one of the most important attributes of any leader, including among other things an ability to put oneself in the shoes of others and understand and appreciate the perspective of others. Beyond that, I would say that strong interpersonal skills and strong communication skills rank among the most important qualities of any leader anywhere. Finally, I view the Forman motto as an all-purpose motto, relevant at all times and for all people everywhere: “By Love Serve One Another”; if everyone lived that motto, the world would be a much better place!
Q: How do you stay connected with students despite your busy schedule? What do you enjoy most about interacting with them?
A: I walk to and from the office, providing an opportunity to meet and talk to students in an informal setting. I also often attend various student events, many of them sponsored by our 38 student societies, providing further opportunities to interact with students on a face-to-face basis. Learning more about their personal stories which are often stories involving faith, commitment, resilience and an ability to overcome obstacles rank among the most enjoyable aspects of these encounters.
Q: What do you believe is education’s greatest legacy? How has it shaped your personal and professional journey?
A: Higher education faces many challenges, both in Pakistan and around the world. Of course, we have to meet the needs of our students; and of course we have to change and adjust in the face of a rapidly changing world. From our perspective, we strive to instill empathy, critical thinking and a sense of service among all of our graduates. If we are successful in these areas, our legacy will be reflected in the lives of those students who shared in the Forman experience and who in turn make a positive difference in the lives of others.