Lady Viqarunnissa Noon was a unique character.

A wife to Firoz Khan Noon, one of Pakistan’s most honourable and prominent politicians, she had long realised that education was the lifeblood of any country. Influenced by the integrity and commitment of many of Pakistan’s founding fathers, she believed that Pakistan’s future depended on the young, whatever its economic or political situation.

Lady Noon founded the VNEF with two main objectives: to give some of the brightest Pakistani students the chance to study at Britain’s best universities, and to reinforce links between Britain, the country where she was brought up, and Pakistan, her adopted home. She quickly realised the importance of giving opportunities to the brightest men and women of Pakistan, who rightly aspire to attend the very best universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge.

The Trustees of the Noon Foundation – drawn from government, academia, public life and media, distinguished in their various ways and all connected with and fond of Pakistan – aim to deliver Lady Noon’s vision, utilising the funds she so generously left for this purpose.

Now 30 years on – the Trust was created in 1992 with the first awards in 1994 – we have been able to fund more than 200 deserving Pakistani scholars to study at the world-class universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Even so, with limited funds, in times of economic stringency, many bright applicants are inevitably disappointed. We therefore strive to build partnerships to ensure that our support stretches as far as possible.

Competition to gain entry to Oxford and Cambridge is, of course, fierce. Pakistanis applying for Noon funding must first apply directly to the universities and secure admission. If they request Noon funding, their papers are forwarded by the universities to us at the VNEF. We Trustees meet in early summer each year to assess candidates according to our criteria, including – significantly we feel – their commitment to return to Pakistan and contribute to life in their home country.

We share Lady Noon’s hope that Noon Scholars will go on to play a leading role in the future development of Pakistan, and we take great pleasure in following their progress and achievements.

We ask all scholars and supporters to please keep in touch with the VNEF via our website, and to help keep the hopes and ambitions of Vicky and the Noon family alive.

Dr Paul Flather, Chair