Two of the earliest graduating classes from Pakistan's School of Nursing and Midwifery, SONAM, have donated US $200,000 to their alma mater to enable deserving students the opportunity to pursue undergraduate studies in nursing.
The gifts of US $100,000 each from the classes of 1983 and 1989, whose studies were fully sponsored by SONAM, will be held in an endowment and have an impact in perpetuity on financial assistance for the School’s future students.
Speaking about the motivation to give back to her School, Sara Ali, an alumna from the class of 1989, said: “The top quality nursing education, confidence, and experiences that AKU provided me has been life-changing. AKU is responsible for my success in the USA. I feel the need to give back simply to pay it forward.”
Naseem Marshal, one of the donors from SONAM’s 1983 graduating class, added: “Our AKU education helped us in many ways: through our education not only do we have a better life but we are also able to help our children, our family and even our friends live better and healthier lives.”
The gifts from alumni mark the 30th and 35th anniversaries of their graduation.
"As a vital part of the extended SONAM community, we are honoured by this generous contribution,” said Dr Rozina Karmaliani, SONAM interim dean. “While this donation helps us continue the legacy of providing quality nursing education, it more importantly continues the beautiful tradition of our alumni always giving back to the School. Be it time, knowledge, skills or monetary help!”
Tehmina Shahnazar, BScN ’18, is one of many students to have benefited from the School’s long-running financial assistance programmes which are supported by donations. Financial issues were an obstacle in the way of Tehmina’s higher education but the decision to provide her 100 per cent financial assistance enabled her to pursue her dreams.
“I come from a humble background and there was opposition to me pursuing higher education,” Tehmina said. “AKU gave me the opportunity to excel and to enrich my knowledge and experience. It’s given me a free education and a job offer and I couldn’t ask for more.”
Tehmina now hopes to return to her home country of Afghanistan and to use her education to help women feel knowledgeable and empowered about their health and rights.
Endowment gifts from alumni support AKU’s mission to expand access to quality healthcare and education, and to conduct research that raises the living standards of people in the developing world. Endowments ensure that there is an enduring source of funding for the University's immediate and future priorities.
