Since its inception in 2001, the LUMS National Outreach Programme has been extending the benefits of a world-class education to talented yet underprivileged students across Pakistan. More than 1,100 students have been inducted to pursue degree programmes at LUMS and more than 540 students have graduated and gone on to achieve, thrive and make an impact in their communities.
Looking at the phenomenal success of NOP graduates, it was decided to develop and design a publication that would not just showcase the success stories of Alumni but give an overview of the achievements of the NOP Scholarship. Under the supervision of Dr. Faisal Bari, Associate Professor, Department of Economics at LUMS and Yasser Hashmi, Associate Professor, Department of Humanities at LUMS, the foundation for ‘Beyond Horizons’ was laid.
After meticulous data analysis, a diverse pool of graduates were contacted in order to have them narrate their journeys thus far. This was done through written interview questions, email follow-ups and telephone calls. The answers they provided were then weaved into masterful stories that provided insight into their family backgrounds, early life, Admission to LUMS and their pursuits post-graduation. Simultaneously data was collected on the statistics of the entire NOP cohort since its inception in order to display infographic analyses.
A vigorous creative design process followed during which thematic elements, pictures, graphics and stories were amalgamated into a publication and sent for printing. Upon receiving the first copy off the press, Rabia Ahmad, Director Admissions expressed immense pride at the Alumni achievements documented within the publication. Shandana Mehdi, Administrator NOP Centre acknowledged all the stakeholders that had contributed in bringing the publication from the concept board to reality and hoped the tradition would be carried forward in annual editions.
The publication would not have been possible without the efforts of research analysts, Ali Jan and Tauha Baba Malik, who edited and collated the stories, and designers Muhammad Ali Butt and Tehreem Nisar who designed the publication.
The publication can be downloaded here
