NOP Success Stories
The National Outreach Programme (NOP) at LUMS is a prestigious scholarship that aims to educate brilliant individuals from underprivileged backgrounds from across Pakistan. Launched in 2001, the Programme seeks out students with exceptional academic records and transforms them into future leaders who return to their communities as positive change agents. Explore stories from our NOP alumni and find out how the Programme impacted their lives.
From the First Female NOP Scholar, to a Leadership Role in London
Adeela Sarfraz
BSc Accounting and Finance, Class of 2009
Adeela was one of the first female students to join the NOP. Her family had been through a difficult time after her father’s accident, but she never gave up on her passion for education. During her time at LUMS, Adeela not only excelled academically, but also took part in various societies and activities. After graduating from undergraduate degree, she joined Deloitte London – one of the Big 4 financial services firms.
“It was only through the NOP that I could realise my father’s dream of me graduating from University. I am the person I am today because of LUMS and NOP. I have strong motivation and drive to give back to my country and make Pakistan better in the little way I can. I would love to return to LUMS in the near future and work on helping and improving my community. ”
The Journey of a Lifetime: From Gilgit to Harvard
Sardar Karim
BSc Economics, Class of 2010
A beloved son of a carpenter and a housewife, Sardar’s journey from humble beginnings to LUMS and then to the highest echelons of academica at Harvard, is a truly remarkable one. He recalls his challenging circumstances, where his family struggled to buy him books or pay his school fees. Through the NOP scholarship and his determination, he was able to pursue his education at LUMS. After graduating with an economics degree, he pursued his Masters degree at Harvard. He credits the academic rigor at LUMS, as well the environment of open discussions as the keys to his success.
“The environment of support among friends was something you don’t see in many universities. There was an air of collaboration where learning was a priority. From the faculty and staff, the support was always like that of a family. My advice to the younger talent of our country is to never forget your roots because that is where you will find your strength to stand the test of winds, as well as the nourishment to grow.”
Coming Full Circle: From an NOP Scholar to Leading Reform in Education
Waqas Haider
BSc Management Science 2019
The son of a tea stall vendor in a far-off village called Basti Dhup Sari, Waqas knew that if he wanted to continue his studies and go to university he would have to secure a scholarship. The NOP Scholarship alleviated his financial struggles, and also contributed to his personal and professional development. The support he received from LUMS motivated him to launch Chiraagh, an organisation that aims to bridge the socioeconomic gap by empowering the youth of Pakistan. The firm now supports the education of over 100 students. Waqas is currently working with ‘Teach for Pakistan’, and aims to work at the policymaking level in the future.
Haider shares, “I would strongly recommend the NOP scholarship because if you are passionate about achieving your dreams, exploring different fields, and being the best version of yourself, but can’t manage it financially, there is no better opportunity than the NOP for you. You just need to have commitment, passion, grit and resilience to be an agent of change.”
Making The World Better, One Community at a Time
Tahira Tarique
BSc Anthropology and Sociology 2012
Hailing from Mirpur Khas, Tahira turned her dreams into reality with hard work and patience. With a deep understanding of the struggles that come from a rural background, Tahira used her education and the skills she was able to gain at LUMS to invest all of her time and energy into various projects in the development sector. She recently completed a Master’s in Public Policy from the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy at Erfurt University in Germany.
“From my very first sociology class, I was challenged to not only think about what is visible on the surface, but what lies in deeper exploration. My four years on campus helped me embrace, welcome, and accept challenges in life. They also inspired me to go out and change the world, just like the NOP scholarship changed my life,” she says.