LUMS NOP Awareness Sessions: Strengthening Educational Ties Across Azad Jammu & Kashmir
LUMS continues to strengthen its commitment to providing quality education through the National Outreach Programme (NOP), bringing opportunities to students from diverse and underserved regions. Recently, the NOP team embarked on an extensive series of awareness sessions across 10 cities in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, engaging with over 1,010 students from 26 colleges. This outreach initiative extended to areas like Neelum Valley, Athmaqam, Rawalakot, Kotli, and Sudhanti/Dhirkot—regions where awareness of the program had previously been limited.
The sessions were held in prominent institutions, including Punjab College Boys and Girls in Mirpur, Read Foundation schools across multiple cities, FG Inter College in Kotli, Learners College in Bhimber, Captain Hussain Shaheed College in Rawalakot, and NISH College in Athmaqam. At each location, the team worked closely with school principals and head teachers, aiming to build lasting relationships that would pave the way for students to explore the opportunities offered through the NOP. Many of these educational leaders expressed interest in nominating their top-performing students and collaborating with the NOP Centre to guide their students toward LUMS.
This outreach effort was about more than just informing students of opportunities—it was about equipping them for success. Students from FA backgrounds were encouraged to consider programs like MGSHSS, while pre-medical students were introduced to the dynamic fields of study available in SBASSE and other LUMS majors. The sessions also focused on practical guidance, covering LCAT preparation, FA assessment forms, and the admissions process to ensure students had the tools they needed to navigate their applications confidently.
A key moment of the outreach was the visit to Read Foundation in Muzaffarabad, where current SCS 2024 participants shared their personal journeys with younger students. Their stories of perseverance and success inspired many juniors to consider applying for NOP SCS 2025. This interaction fostered a sense of community and showed students what was possible with determination and access to quality education.
The impact of this initiative was far-reaching. For the first time, the NOP team visited new cities like Sudhanti/Dhirkot, Rawalakot, Neelum Valley, and Bagh, giving students from these areas a chance to explore higher education at LUMS. Local principals and teachers enthusiastically embraced the initiative, sharing details of their best students and expressing a strong desire to maintain active collaboration with the program. The team also offered specialized support to SCS 2024 participants, helping them prepare for the LCAT and navigate the admissions process successfully.
These sessions underscored the importance of giving back to communities by building educational bridges. By reaching out to students in underrepresented areas, LUMS NOP is not only creating opportunities but also nurturing future leaders and empowering students to dream bigger. Through these efforts, the program continues to extend its impact, fostering academic growth and strengthening ties with schools and communities across Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
