LUMS NOP Awareness Sessions: Strengthening Connections Across Abbottabad

As part of its ongoing mission to expand access to quality education, LUMS recently conducted awareness sessions in six cities across northern Pakistan through its National Outreach Programme. Engaging 1,010 students from 14 colleges, the outreach spanned Abbottabad, Mansehra, Qalandarabad, Batrasi, Haripur, and Havelian/Lahore. The sessions aimed to introduce students to the opportunities available through LUMS NOP SCS 2025 while fostering deeper relationships with local educational institutions.

The outreach included visits to prominent schools and colleges, including Tameer-i-Wattan Schools (Boys and Girls) in Abbottabad and Mansehra, Progressive Public School Abbottabad, Dubai Public School and College Mansehra, Peace College Haripur, GPGC for Men and Women in Haripur, and Pakistan Scouts Cadet College Batrasi. This year’s initiative also introduced NOP to four new colleges, broadening the program’s reach and ensuring that students in underserved regions were made aware of the academic opportunities available at LUMS.
The sessions served multiple purposes. They provided a platform for principals and teachers to engage with the NOP team, resulting in strengthened ties with existing partner institutions and the establishment of new relationships with schools. 

Principals from Tameer-i-Wattan Schools expressed interest in organizing campus tours for their students, offering them a firsthand experience of the university environment. Additionally, the team revisited prior contacts to reinforce partnerships and encourage broader participation in the programme.

To support students during the application process, the NOP team provided comprehensive training for student counselors. This training focused on accurately completing the SCS application, equipping counselors with the tools they need to guide students through each step confidently and efficiently. By ensuring that counselors are well-prepared, LUMS aims to make the application process smoother for both students and their schools.

A highlight of the outreach was the involvement of an SCS 2024 participant from Shigar, who returned to his hometown to assist with the session. Sharing his journey to LUMS, he inspired junior students to see NOP as a viable pathway to higher education. His story resonated with students, offering them both motivation and a tangible example of what could be achieved through determination and access to opportunities.

Career counseling formed a vital part of the sessions, with tailored advice offered to students across various academic tracks. Those from an FA background were encouraged to consider MGSHSS programs, while pre-medical students explored fields in SBASSE and other dynamic majors at LUMS. This comprehensive guidance ensured that every student could envision a pathway that aligned with their academic interests and aspirations.
 

Through these efforts, LUMS engaged with over 1,000 students in northern Pakistan, creating new opportunities and encouraging them to dream bigger. By fostering relationships with school leaders and providing actionable support for students, the NOP initiative aims to build a sustainable pipeline of talented applicants.

This outreach reinforces the commitment of the National Outreach Program to creating a more inclusive educational landscape, empowering students from diverse backgrounds to realize their potential. By nurturing relationships with local communities and delivering impactful sessions, LUMS continues to drive meaningful change and expand access to quality education across Pakistan.