Guidance for Students

This page is a practical guide to the most useful student-facing materials across my website and blog: (1) research & writing, (2) decolonizing the mind and knowledge, and (3) inspiration and purpose. It’s intentionally simple for now—a “map” to help you start.

Start here Research & Writing Decolonizing Knowledge Inspiration & Motivation Online Courses

🎓 Courses index 📚 Ten Courses اردو: Urdu Home 🧭 Blog Guides hub

Simple promise: try one “small step” from the sections below in your studies this week. Many students wake up as soon as the conversation shifts from “career” to the purpose of life.

Start here

If you’re overwhelmed, begin with these 3 gateways. They re-orient your purpose, then show how ideas shape your life.

Learn Who You Are Purpose of life, identity, and why modern education often produces confusion instead of wisdom.
The Power of Ideas How hidden ideas govern institutions, knowledge, and what societies become.
The Nature of Human Knowledge Why “what counts as knowledge” is never neutral—and why that matters for Muslims.

Research & Writing

If you’re doing an MS/PhD, thesis, dissertation, or serious project: start with these practical resources.

Core research guidance

Research Methods Videos A student-focused set of guidance materials for doing research well.
Guidelines for Thesis Writing A clear checklist for structure, clarity, and academic writing habits.
Course on Research Frontiers (lectures) Training on how to think like a researcher (esp. social sciences/economics).

Reasoning, methods, and common mistakes

Learning to REASON with Numbers A short corrective for sloppy quantitative thinking (useful beyond statistics).
Methodological Mistakes and Econometric Consequences How hidden assumptions and weak methods create “results” that mislead.
Applied Regression Analysis (training) Practical regression training for researchers.

Advanced (for serious specialization)

Introduction to Hendry’s Methodology A deeper methodological framework for econometrics and empirical work.
Applied Econometrics (course) A structured course pathway for econometrics students.
My Academic Research (topic map) If you want to explore research areas and reading trails by topic.

Urdu (research discussion)

Discussion of Research Topics (Urdu) A practical discussion in Urdu for students thinking about research direction.

Small step to try: write one paragraph answering: “What problem am I solving, and why does it matter for human well-being and akhira?” This immediately improves focus and motivation.

Decolonizing the mind and knowledge

Many students feel an invisible split: Islam in “private life” and Western assumptions in “real knowledge.” These readings help you see the hidden worldview behind modern education—and begin reintegration.

Core worldview essays (this site)

Islamic Approaches to Knowledge A clear contrast between Islamic vs. Western frames for knowledge and purpose.
The Nature of Knowledge: Logical Positivism Where “neutral” knowledge comes from—and what it leaves out.
The Nature of Human Knowledge Why meaning, purpose, and metaphysics can’t be deleted without consequences.

Guided tracks (blog)

Islamic Worldview Guide A curated reading sequence for rebuilding worldview step-by-step.
Eurocentrism Guide How dominant narratives shape what we consider “knowledge” and “history.”
Education Guide Education as character-formation (not job-training): the Islamic frame.

Small step to try: after any lecture/topic you study, ask: “What does this subject assume about human beings, success, and purpose?” That single question begins decolonization.

Inspiration & motivation

These are meant to restore purpose, courage, and ambition—so study becomes a mission, not a treadmill.

High-impact talks & essays

The Ways of the Eagles A motivational talk many students remember for years.
How to become human beings (instead of “human resources”) A direct address to students about identity, ambition, and real success.
Islam’s Gift: An Economy of Spiritual Development Why spiritual development is the true “success metric.”

Motivational lectures (this site)

Lecture 1: Introduction and Motivation A motivational opening lecture (useful for students entering serious study).
Value of Human Lives A reminder that people are not “resources”—and why that matters for education.

Small step to try: begin one study session each day with a 2-minute reset: “Why am I learning this? Who do I want to become? What will I serve with this knowledge?”

Online courses (quick doorway)

If you learn best through structured lectures, use these directories. (This page focuses on guidance, not course listing.)

Online Lectures index Ten Courses Back to top

This temporarily lists my students – I will move this material elsewhere later

Ph.D. Theses

Waqar Masood Khan: Towards an Interest Free Islamic Economics System: A theoretical analysis of prohibiting debt-financing. 1984. BostonUniversity

Sidika Basci: Computer Intensive Techniques for Model Selection. May 1998, Bilkent University

Mehmet Orhan: Robust Regression, HCCM Estimators, and an Empirical Bayes Application, May 1999, Bilkent University

Yasemin Bal-Gunduz: The Estimators of Random Coefficient Models, May 1999, Bilkent University

Asiye Ozlem-Onder: Asymptotic Expansions for Test Statistics and Tests for Normality Based on Robust Regression, June 1999, Bilkent University

Zahid Asghar: Sensitivity and Simulation Analysis of Granger Causality:An Empirical Investigation, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, 2007.

Saima Mahmood: Efficiency Wages and Non-Monetary Motivational Strategies: An Experimental Approach. Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, 2011

Mohmmad Rehman: Resolving Controversies about Determinants of Inflation, IIIE, International Islamic University of Islambad, 2011

Atiqur-Rahman Kashmiri: Model Specification and Unit Root Tests. IIIE, International Islamic University of Islamabad, 2011

Iftikhar Hussain Adil: Detecting Outliers in Skewed Distributions.IIIE, International Islamic University of Islamabad, 2012

Mumtaz Ahmed: Analytical Formulae for Biases of Heteroskedasticity Consistent Covariance Matrix Estimators, IIIE, IIUI, 2012

Saud Ahmed Khan: Hedging, An Islamic Approach.

Rafi Amir-ud-din: An Inter-Temporal Comparison Of International Poverty As An Achieved Functioning Deprivation.

Tanweer-ul-Islam: Testing for Normality: New Directions in Test Comparisons.

Mr. Mudassar Rashid: Model Specification Methods: Comparison of Autometrics with other Strategies

Ateeq-ur-Rehman Irshad: Comparison of Parametric and Non-Parametric Approaches to Measure Performance Theory and Applications.

Ahsan ul Haq Satti : Conduct of monetary policy in uncertain world; The case of Pakistan

Taseer Salahuddin: Exploring The Relation Between Empowerment And Multidimensional Deprivation Spectrum Among Pakistani Women: A Mixed Method Approach , NCBAE, Lahore, 2018

Farrukh Mahmood: Comparison between the Bayesian and Frequentist Estimators : Univariate GARCH Type Models, 2018

Ayesha tuz Zehra: Agent Based Modelling for Monetary Policy Decisions, 2018

Ms. Uzma Bashir: Essays in Monetary Economics: An Insight from Quantity Theory of Credit, 2018

Abida Nourin: Evaluation of Causality Methods and Tests for Panel Data

Maria Qubtia: A Re-examination of Empirical Evidence of Export Led Growth Hypothesis

Uzma Bashir: Essays in Monetary Economics: An Insight from Quantity Theory of Credit

Atiq-uz-Zafar Khan: Islamic insurance in Theory and Practice: A Critical Appraisal

Waqar Muhammad Khan: Assessing Independence and Causality in Time Series

Asad ul Islam Khan: Theoretical and Empirical Comparison of Cointegration Tests

Irfan Malik: Modeling Financial time series in the presence of outliers

Gulfam Haider: Comparative Analysis of Nonparametric Approaches Dealing with Endogeneity in Finite Samples

Khan Bahadur Khan: The Classical Bayes Empirical Bayes and Hierarchical Bayes Estimation of Panel Data Models

Surayya Mukhtar: Alternative Specifications of Fisher Hypothesis and Empirical Investigations

Mahmood Ul Hasan: Monte Carlo Comparison of Panel Data Cointegration Tests and their Economics Application

Co-Supervisor for:

Han Yung-Jung: Bayesian Tests for Ricardian Equivalence, JohnsHopkinsUniversity, 1993 – Supervisor: Dr L. Maccini

Sajid Amin Javed: Uncertainty, Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth: Evidence from Developing Asia,IIIE, International Islamic University of Islamabad, 2012 Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Nasim Shah Shirazi

Hendri,Samsul Bahri: Export Led Growth Hypothesis: An Analysis of Indonesia’s Trade Policy Pre and Post 1997 Financial Crises. IIIE, International Islamic University of Islamabad, 2012 Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Nasim Shah Shirazi

Muhammad Azhar Khan: Determinants of Basic Need Fulfillment The Case of Pakistan. IIIE, International Islamic University of Islamabad, 2012 Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Nasim Shah Shirazi

M.A. Theses

Faker Zouaoui: Quality Measurement Plan Using Monte Carlo Methods, May 1997, Bilkent University

Arzdar Kiraci: Robust Regression and Applications, September 1996, Bilkent University

Yener Kandogan: Predictive Residual Sum of Squares Compared with J and Ja in Nonnested Hypothesis Testing, May 1996, Bilkent University

Sidika Basci: Detecting Structural Change when the Change Point is Unknown, May 1995, BilkentUniversity

Mehmet Orhan: Comparison of Several Estimators for the Covariance of the Coefficient Matrix, September 1995, Bilkent University

Mustafa Cenk Tire: Bootstrap and its Applications.September 1995, Bilkent University

KeremTomak: Evaluation of the Goldfeld-Quandt test and Alternatives, June 1994, BilkentUniversity.

M.Phil. Theses

M. Shahid Razzaque: The Ultimatum Game: Experimental Evidence on the effect of Gender and Raising Stakes. March 2008, IIIE, IIUI

Syed Kanwar Abbas: Efficiency Wage Hypothesis in Pakistan. Nov., 2006, M.Phil, IIIE, IIUI.

M. Faiz-ur-Rahim: Aspects of Corruption Measurement. Dec 2006, M.Phil, IIIE, IIUI.

Mubashir Mukhtar: Islamic Microfinance: Business in the name of Welfare. May 2009, M. S. IIIE, IIUI

Taseer Salahuddin: Poverty Measurement: A Multidimensional Approach, October 2010. MS IIIE, IIUI.

Gulfam Haider: Changing Points and Parameter Instability with Heteroskeydastic Models, 2012. MS Econometrics IIIE, IIUI.

Khan Bahadar: Bayesian and Frequentist Approaches of Estimation: A Forecast Based Comparison on Panel Data, 2012. MS Econometrics IIIE, IIUI.

Asad-ul-Islam Khan: Comparison of Different Measures of Correlation for Categorical Data, 2012. MS Econometrics IIIE, IIUI.

Abdul Ghafar Shah: Getting the Result that you want from the Unit Root, 2012. MS Econometrics IIIE, IIUI

Muhammad Irfan Malik: Spectral Density Estimators and NG-Perron Unit Root Test, 2012. MS Econometrics IIIE, IIUI

Mubashir Mukhar, Investigating Causes of Inflation in Pakistan: Incorporating Paradox of Monetary Profits, 2012. MS Econometrics IIIE, IIUI

Saba Mumtaz: Advance Bayesian Analysis Using Panel Data of European Union Consumption Function, 2018

Hanzala Zulfiqar: Evaluation of Density forecasts, 2018

Rana M. Imran Irshad: Testing for Unimodality

Waqar Muhammad Khan: How One Can Use Granger Causality to Get Desired Results.

Ali Raza: Comparison of Bootstrap SkewnessVersus Classical Tests of Skewness.

Shahid Akbar: Detecting Outliers in Stock Returns.

Uzma Bashir Awan: Determinants of Corporate Philanthropy: A Case of Karachi Stock Exchange.

Munazza Jabeen: A Comprehensive Look at Modelling Exchange Rate Volatility by Macroeconomic Fundamentals in Pakistan.

Currently under Way:

MS/M.Phil Theses

Rubina Kiran: Welfare Impact of Rising Food Prices on Households in Pakistan.

Mamoona Sadaf: Provinical Trade and Virtual Water Flows in Pakistan

Mehmood Hussain: Measuring the Stock Returns Using Bayesian Techniques: A Case of Islamabad Stock Exchange

OTHERS:

Obituary for Arif Naveed: My Student from IIIE, IIUI – I encouraged him to go on for higher studies in England, and enabled the process.