Get talented students from different backgrounds, geographical locations in one place, let them learn from one another
LAHORE: Just like acquiring basic education is a fundamental right of every citizen, providing world-class education to talented but needy students from all across Pakistan is the need of the hour. Investment in such individuals, who exist in large numbers, will pay great dividends for our nation in the future. The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), once known to be an elitist institution meant only for a certain class of society due to its expensive education, now has a student body that is diverse, with students from all sorts of backgrounds coming to study here.
How did LUMS achieve such diversity? And how is this diversity benefiting the students and the institution? LUMS started its National Outreach Programme (NOP) in 2001, which aimed at extending world-class education to talented students facing financial constraints. I was also an NOP scholar. Belonging to the small town of Shakargarh and with a humble family background, I could never have imagined studying at such a prestigious institution had there been no NOP. This programme is not so much about funding your education, but is also about a very meticulous process, which focuses on hunting talent from the far-flung areas of Pakistan by conducting awareness sessions at local colleges. I heard about LUMS for the first time while I was studying for my FSc when a NOP team visited my college and gave a presentation.
In remote and less developed areas of Pakistan, students are usually diligent and score high marks, but they lack the required exposure and confidence to make best use of their talent. Someone has to polish this talent. Having the opportunity to study at LUMS brought a positive change in my personality. I got the confidence and skills to communicate well, which are benefiting me now in my professional life. Due to the success of NOP, LUMS receives donations from both the private and public sectors.
The whole purpose of sharing this is that other institutions must also introduce such programmes to benefit themselves and the nation. There exists a successful working model in the shape of the NOP. Pakistani universities can adopt it, with required customisation. Get talented students (who meet your criteria) from different backgrounds and geographical locations at one place, let them learn from one another and excel in healthy academic competition.
Muhammad Abubakar Umer
Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2014.
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