BSc Class of 1997 Establishes Endowment Fund to Support National Outreach Programme
In a commendable gesture of giving back, the LUMS BSc Class of 1997 has established an endowment fund to support a scholar from the National Outreach Programme (NOP) at LUMS. This initiative aims to identify and nurture promising students from underserved regions across Pakistan, providing them with a pathway to world-class education.
The partnership was formalised with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the fund representative, Mr. Yasser Bashir, CEO, Arbisoft, and Dr. Ali Cheema, Vice Chancellor, LUMS. The ceremony was held at the LUMS campus on September 27, 2024; the attendees included BSc '97 alumna Dr. Zainab Latif, Senior Fellow at Tabadlab and Consultant at Oxford Policy Management, and key representatives from LUMS, including Ms. Nuzhat Kamran, Director, and Mr. Anas Ashraf Ali, Head of Development, Office of Advancement, LUMS.
Dr. Cheema expressed gratitude for the Class of 1997's generosity and commitment to education, stating, “We are thankful for the support of our alumni, which enables us to offer greater opportunities to deserving students. Their contributions will create a lasting impact on future generations of NOP scholars.”
Sharing the motivation behind establishing the fund, Mr. Bashir emphasised the transformative power of a LUMS education. He encouraged all alumni to contribute, noting, “By giving back to LUMS, we can enhance educational opportunities for future students. It’s never too late to make a meaningful impact and support the next generation of leaders.”
The NOP, a flagship initiative of LUMS launched in 2001, aligns with the University’s vision of offering premium education to talented students nationwide, regardless of their financial circumstances. It won the prestigious Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Platinum Award 2021 for ‘Best Practices in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’, a recognition of excellence in educational advancement worldwide.
The scholarship fund established by the BSc Class of 1997 will be vital in expanding access to quality higher education and empowering more students to pursue their academic aspirations.
