LUMS Receives Regional Recognition for its National Outreach Programme
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In a moment of great pride for the University, LUMS has been chosen as the Regional Finalist for the CASE Platinum Awards 2021 for its National Outreach Programme (NOP) in the ‘Best Practices in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’ category. The Platinum Awards, organised by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) recognise the best programmes and practices in educational advancement globally. LUMS will now represent the Asia-Pacific region at the international round of the competition to be held later in the year.
Founding Pro-Chancellor of LUMS, Syed Babar Ali said, “We feel honoured to be representing Asia-Pacific in the final round of the Platinum Awards 2021, for our National Outreach Programme. Our faculty and peers have played an instrumental role in this achievement through their ongoing support in every facet of this programme. We hope to see every NOP scholar transforming into future leaders, who return to their communities as positive change agents.”
The NOP furthers the University’s philosophy of Learning Without Borders and helps make world-class education accessible to all talented individuals regardless of their financial circumstances. NOP scholars come from all over Pakistan and fully represent the rich diversity the country has to offer. In the year 2019-20, the NOP team approached almost 12,880 potential applicants across 218 institutions and 80 cities, including remote towns and villages such as Bahawalnagar, Hunza, Swat and Taxila, and a total of PKR 370 million was disbursed through the scholarship programme.
The applicants are provided extra coaching, as well as financial support for the SAT exam. Once the scholars are inducted into the University, their financial aid covers the full tuition fee, living stipend, books, boarding and lodging.
Speaking about this achievement, Vice Chancellor, Dr. Arshad Ahmad said, “Through NOP, LUMS is delivering its promise to provide a transformational educational experience for brilliant individuals belonging to disadvantaged backgrounds from across Pakistan. Qualifying as a regional finalist for the Platinum Awards 2021 for this programme itself speaks for it, and further strengthens our resolve to shape a broader path towards making world-class higher education accessible to more students from other underserved areas of the country.”
LUMS has also received an honourable mention for LUMS Live in the “Best Practices in Digital Communications” category, a remarkable feat for an initiative that begun less than a year ago. LUMS Live, launched by the Office of Advancement, has provided the University with a platform to continue important conversations and stay connected, despite the social distancing restrictions brought on by the pandemic. With over 50 sessions under its belt, the eminent panelists have included guests from from both within and outside of the LUMS community including Syed Babar Ali, Dr. Arshad Ahmad, Ms. Malala Yousafzai, Ms. Mahira Khan, Mr. Osman Samiuddin and Dr. Arfa Sayeda Zehra.
