University of London launches Scholarship in honour of Mary Stiasny

The award creates three full undergraduate scholarships for students in Pakistan to undertake a programme of study with the University.

The scholarship is named in honour of Professor Mary Stiasny OBE - the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (International, Teaching and Learning) – who has announced that she will be retiring in June 2024. Mary joined the University of London in 2013, having studied at four of the University’s federation member institutions, working at three of them, and having been a teacher herself.

The announcement follows the launch of the University of London’s ‘Join the World Class’ recruitment campaign, which showcases the real stories of students from Pakistan who are studying University of London degree programmes. The University has also been in Pakistan this week to deliver a series of events for its alumni community. 

On Wednesday 8 May, “Success through Equality: the Importance of Gender Parity in senior roles” was held at the Pearl Continental Hotel Lahore featuring a high-profile panel of speakers, University of London alumni and guests. On 9 May the University was in Karachi for an event that shared insights into "Preparing for a Changing World: Employability and Entrepreneurship."

University of London Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Thomson said: “Mary has truly strengthened our position as the world’s leading provider of flexible and distance learning, and it is fitting that the Mary Stiasny Scholarship is being launched in Pakistan.

“The University now has more students in Pakistan than in any other country in the world, and we are proud to work in partnership with many respected teaching institutions to deliver a world-class University of London degree for students in more than 190 countries around the world.”

Professor Mary Stiasny said: “The University of London is a pioneer in delivering world-class education. We were the first university in the UK to admit students regardless of their gender, race or religion, the first to admit women to degree programmes and, in 1865, the first to give students the opportunity to study our degrees anywhere across the globe. 

“Today, I am proud to see around 8,000 students studying for a degree here in Pakistan and as part of our new ‘Join the World Class’ international campaign, I hope that this new scholarship will enable more students in Pakistan to undertake a University of London degree regardless of their financial status.”

The University of London has particularly long-standing links with Pakistan. Last year, Professor Stiasny met with the office of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to celebrate the past 40 years of University of London degrees being delivered in Pakistan and to highlight the quality and importance of the University’s relationships in the country. 

In February this year, Mary met with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to discuss a range of issues pertaining to improving education in the province. During their meeting, CM Maryam praised Professor Stiasny’s efforts in providing quality education, teacher training, and employment opportunities across the world.

The University of London welcomes support at all levels for the Mary Stiasny Scholarship. For queries about this initiative please contact the Development Office at:

development@london.ac.uk