- HEC chairman assures support to Hungarian students, professors and researchers to study, work in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Prof Dr Tariq Banuri has said that the Pakistani students and scholars proceeding to abroad for study are ‘ambassadors of Pakistan’ in actual and the responsibility lies on their shoulder to portray a soft image of the country to the world.
During a send-off ceremony held here in honour of 200 students selected for the Stipendium Hungarian Scholarship under the bilateral higher education and scientific exchange programme, he informed the students that the Hungary is not only a place characterised by rich culture, history and creativity but it was also a place of science, technology and innovation.
Dr Tariq Banuri urged the students to make maximum use of the tremendous opportunity and experience it to the fullest. Bring knowledge and expertise back to Pakistan, he advised the students to forge academic and cultural linkages, as these relations will last a lifetime. He advised them to live with utmost respect, integrity and generosity in Hungary and pave way for other Pakistani students to avail themselves of the opportunity to study in Hungarian universities in the coming years.
He assured his full support to the Hungarian students, professors and researchers to come to Pakistan and work in the areas of mutual interest. Both the stakeholders were on the same page as far as this objective was concerned, he underlined.
Hungary Embassy Counselor Sandor Mihalko and Deputy Head of Mission Tivadar Takács were guests of honour on the occasion, while HEC Executive Director Dr Arshad Ali and HRD Adviser Waseem Hashmi Syed were also present.
Describing the background of the scholarship programme, Sandor Mihalko said that the aim of this programme was to contribute to the development of Pakistan. He urged the students to develop professional contacts during their stay in Hungary as person-to-person contacts would help build bilateral relations.
He said that the Hungarian government was investing $3 million a year for this programme, while more budget was allocated every year. He said that out of 200 scholarships, 125 scholarships have been awarded for BS studies, 50 for MS studies and 25 for PhD programmes.
In his welcome address, Dr Arshad Ali said that it was a matter of great pride and pleasure to host this send-off ceremony. He said that the programme earlier focused on undergraduate scholarships. He said that postgraduate programmes were also included.
Addressing parents and teachers, he congratulated them and said that going to Hungary for study was a momentous opportunity as well as a challenging task. He advised the students to remain connected with their faculty and fellow students and actively participate in academic as well as extracurricular activities.
