Rousch Pakistan Power Limited Signs an MoU to Support the LUMS National Outreach Programme

Rousch Pakistan Power Limited (RPPL) extended its support by signing an agreement to aid the National Outreach Programme (NOP) at LUMS. A ceremony was held on Thursday, November 10, 2022, where Dr. Arshad Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, LUMS, and Mr. Waqar Ahmad Khan, CEO, RPPL and LUMS Alumnus (MBA, 2004), signed the agreement.

Also present at the event were Mr. Muhammad Junaid Asghar, CFO, RPPL and Ms. Zainab Ahmad, Corporate Communications Manager, Descon, Representing LUMS were Dr. Tariq Jadoon, Provost, Dr. Naveed Arshad, Associate Professor, Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering, and Ms. Nuzhat Kamran, Director, Office of Advancement.

To provide a holistic overview of the many initiatives at LUMS, Ms. Kamran gave a brief presentation and apprised the guests about strategic developments at LUMS, and its flagship National Outreach Programme. She talked about the multiplier effect of the NOP and how each contribution goes a long way in making a difference.

Initiated in 2001, the NOP furthers the University’s longstanding vision of providing premium education to talented students across the country, regardless of their financial circumstances. The Programme has won the global Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Platinum Award 2021 in the ‘Best Practices in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’ category. The CASE Platinum Awards recognise world-class programmes and practices in educational advancement.

Dr. Ahmad, lauded RPPL’s support towards the NOP. Talking about the vision of the University, he said, “The centres of learning at LUMS are a multidisciplinary approach to address the grand challenges of today. The Energy Institute is one of the centres which has blossomed into doing high-impact work in various sectors, including the power sector. The institute is working to raise the bar in research and commercial spinoffs from that research. We invite the industry to be a major participant and collaborate with us to bridge the gap between theory and application.”

Dr. Naveed Arshad spoke about the vision behind the Energy Institute. “The LUMS Energy Institute aims to carry out interdisciplinary research, development, and capacity building in power and energy planning, renewable energy technologies, and grid modernization. This institute works as a research centre, a think tank, and a building ground for renewable energy in Pakistan. Several techniques such as data analytics, data science and engineering have been used in various research projects in collaboration with several government and private power sector companies.”

Mr. Khan spoke about the motivation towards giving to LUMS. “LUMS is not only providing the gift of education to young and talented students, but it is also giving them a direction in life. Our contribution towards the NOP is a small effort to provide these students with a better future. We are grateful to LUMS for giving Rousch this opportunity to make a difference,” he said.