Phase-II of USAID Merit and Needs-Based Scholarship Programme to enable 3,000 students to continue higher education in selected public and private institutions
Addressing the launching ceremony of Phase-II of HEC-USAID Merit and Needs-Based Scholarship Programme at HEC Secretariat, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal Wednesday reiterated government’s support for education, terming innovation and research vital for country.
HEC Chairman Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmad and USAID Pakistan Mission Director Gregory C Gottlieb were also present on the occasion in addition to some of the vice chancellors of 31 partner universities as well as scholarship beneficiaries.
The Phase-II of the USAID Merit and Needs-based Scholarship Programme will enable approximately 3,000 students to continue higher education in selected public and private institutions.
As part of an initiative to provide equal opportunity for the female students, 50 percent of the scholarship has been reserved for them.
The minister said that higher education institutions should be centres of knowledge creation, dissemination as well as ensuring that this knowledge impacts society. He termed the vice chancellors of universities as “corps commanders of knowledge”, who have to play leading role in bringing the much-needed change in the society. He said that the government is committed to provide best digital means to faculty members, researchers and students.
The minister mentioned that HEC is already working on Smart University Project through which universities will be equipped with advanced WiFi technology to have access to digital resources/contents through blanket coverage across the campus.
The Minister praised the combined efforts of HEC and USAID for carrying out the initiative. “The support of United States has always helped in promoting education, health, agriculture, and economy and finance sectors in Pakistan,” he said.
The government has always given special importance to create opportunities to make education accessible at doorstep of every Pakistani, he added.
The minister said the government will ensure that, in next three years, each district of Pakistan should have a University or its sub-campus.
Prof Mukhtar expressed gratitude to USAID for their support in promoting higher education and thanked the government of Pakistan for making education, especially higher education, as its top priorities. He mentioned that allocation for HEC in the last national budget was highest in the history of Pakistan. He said that USAID is also supporting HEC in establishing centres of excellence in three priority areas, water, agriculture, and energy.
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