The Advanced Summer Learning Initiative (ASLI), a holistic four-week, fully funded academic residential programme, served the diverse LUMS community for the second year by helping enrolled students, who were struggling academically, re-integrate and adapt to the challenging structure and rigour of the university.
Operating under the umbrella of the Learning and Mentoring Centre, Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities and Social Sciences (MGSHSS), ASLI was started as a pilot project in the summer of 2018 to provide students the chance to foster meaningful academic and social connections. In the first year, 40 first-year students were successfully trained and this year, 80 second-year students formed part of the second cohort and were trained in reading/comprehension, writing, and communication skills in English, along with a focus on mathematics and critical thinking approaches.
ASLI aims to provide students with culturally respectful and thoughtful peer-led support to bolster their ability to thrive academically and socially. Whatever their backgrounds, departure points, or academic interests, students will find in ASLI a community of fellow scholars and mentors committed to helping them succeed in their undergraduate careers.
This year, ASLI students followed a rigorous schedule of classes, which started at 9.30 am and ended at 4.30 pm, followed by an hour-long mentoring session with their peer advisors. Students were provided access to a comprehensive suite of academic support, advising, and peer counselling to ensure academic success at LUMS. While ASLI aims to introduce students to the challenges of an undergraduate degree at LUMS, it also helps students to integrate socially through weekly cultural excursion on Fridays and ice cream socials on Wednesdays.
During the programme, students travelled to the Gangasingh Border in Kasur City, old Lahore and ended the programme with a trip to Haran Minar and Nankana Sahib. On July 19 the students received their participation certificates and final stipends at a closing ceremony at the Executive Dining Hall (EDH).
The Dean’s Office at MGSHSS aims to track the progress of ASLI students for the incoming year in an attempt to foster a long-term association with its students.
