Scholarships for Afghan students is a testimony to the mutual closeness: Mamnoon

–HEC launches documentary on Allama Iqbal 3000 scholarships for Afghan students Phase II
–Scholarship programme is a testimony to mutual closeness: Mamnoon

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain has said that the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan share a mutual respect and affection owing to religious and cultural bonds, regional proximity and that the scholarship programme is a testimony to the mutual closeness.

He made these remarks during a ceremony held here on Tuesday, in which Higher Education Commission (HEC) launched a documentary titled: “The Real AfPak Fighting Terrorism through Knowledge”.

Mamnoon Hussain graced the occasion as chief guest, while HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed and Afghanistani Ambassador to Pakistan Omer Zakhilwal along with a large number of vice-chancellors, faculty members and Afghan students were also present on the occasion.

The documentary by Sameera Aziz, a Saudi media figure reveals the co-curricular and extra-curricular activities of Afghan students pursuing their education in Pakistani higher education institutions under the scholarship programme. It includes interviews with Dr Mukhtar Ahmed and Afghan students with regard to the academic opportunities available under the programme.

The president said that Afghani students are extended the same facilities being enjoyed by Pakistani students in the country’s universities. He hoped that Afghan students would not only help compensate the losses caused by terrorism and wars but will also work for the well-being of humanity.

“Pakistan has suffered casualties of over 70,000 souls apart from immeasurable infrastructural damages,” he stated while speaking about the lost lives and huge losses in the war on terror.

He stressed that the two countries need to develop mutual trust to foil enemy conspiracies aimed to create misunderstandings between them. Referring to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said that CPEC will bring educational and trade opportunities to not only Pakistan but also Afghanistan.

He advised the Afghan students to prepare themselves for future challenges and stated that Pakistan strongly believes in Afghanistan’s development.

Dr Mukhtar Ahmed said scholarship awards for Afghan students under the programme reaffirms the Pakistani government’s commitment to helping the Afghan brethren overcome terrorism-induced challenges and years of strife. He then announced that after the first phase of Allama Iqbal Scholarships to 3000 Afghan students, the second phase of the programme has been launched.

He maintained that zero semesters are being arranged for students before placing them in their respective programmes, hoping the students will go back to serve their country after completion of their studies. “You are now the ambassadors of Afghanistan in Pakistan, however, you will play the role of ambassadors of Pakistan in Afghanistan once you complete your education,” he emphasised.

“Education is the solution to all problems of developing countries. We have had enough destruction. Let us work together and focus on construction,” he stated.

The chairman stated that the main objective of the scholarship programme is to strengthen people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and Afghanistan and that the programme covers undergraduate, as well as, PhD and Masters in addition to training of the Afghan faculty.

He said that the solution to all ills in society lies in the promotion of education, adding that spreading education is the real investment that strengthens bonds between the two countries.

Omer Zakhilwal said that Pakistan has remarkably contributed to the development of state institutions in Afghanistan. “I would like to thank Pakistan for the generous hospitality it extends to Afghan students,” he added.

Referring to the documentary, he said the scholarship award is not only a fight against terror but also against mistrust, misunderstanding, isolation and lack of progress. He urged the Afghan students to work hard and go back to serve their country. “Today, the Afghan future leaders study with Pakistan’s future leaders,” he added.

The Pakistani government has initiated different programmes under the “Committee for Reconstruction & Rehabilitation of Afghanistan (CRRA)”. The 3000 scholarships programme is one meant for Afghan students to pursue undergraduate studies in Pakistani universities.

The Pakistani prime minister has approved another 3000 scholarships for Afghan nationals at a capital cost of Rs 7364.735 million. Under this scheme, 500 MBBS, 100 BDS, 600 engineering and 1200 general disciplines scholarships will be awarded to Afghan students at the undergraduate level.

Furthermore, 400 MS and 200 PhD scholarships will also be awarded to Afghan nationals. In addition to this, short 3-6 month training(s) will also be given to 120 Afghan officials.  So far, 294 students have arrived, but the total number will reach 750 by March 2018.

Apart from providing hostels, security, food, pick and drop facilities, and a zero semester has also been arranged at Institute of Management Sciences (IMS), Peshawar; University of Haripur; COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad Campus; and COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Lahore Campus.

These students will be enrolled in public and private sector universities in different fields of study including Medical Sciences, Engineering, Business Administration, Computer Science, Arts & Humanities, and Social Sciences.