The United States government has recently announced that it will be providing 500 scholarships to Pakistani university students from flood-affected areas to assist them in completing their degrees. This was announced by US Ambassador Donald Blome at an event celebrating International Women’s Day at the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in Islamabad. The scholarships will be provided in partnership with the HEC, and will support meritorious yet financially disadvantaged students to pursue higher education at top Pakistani universities.
This announcement comes as part of the US government’s ongoing efforts to support women’s higher education and promote gender parity in Pakistan. Through the Merit and Needs Based Scholarship Program, which has awarded over 6,000 scholarships in partnership with the HEC, 60% of the scholarships have been awarded to women.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Blome emphasized the importance of International Women’s Day as a call to action to accelerate gender parity and to dismantle gender stereotypes. HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed also commended the US government’s support for higher education in Pakistan, noting that the scholarships have helped secure university education for many underprivileged students, lifting themselves and their families out of poverty, while also helping to supply Pakistan with crucial skills and knowledge sets to drive the economy.
Federal Minister of Planning Ahsan Iqbal, who was also present at the event, highlighted the devastating impact of floods in Pakistan, where millions of people lost their homes and livelihoods. He expressed his appreciation for the US government’s support for flood-affected students, which will help provide them with the education they need to rebuild their lives.
During the event, Jennifer Andleeb, a scholarship alumna, shared her personal experience of facing challenges in attaining higher education, and how the scholarship transformed the trajectory of her life. She emphasized the crucial role of education in bringing about positive changes in society, and stressed the importance of empowering and educating women to ensure a brighter future for Pakistan.
Overall, this announcement of 500 scholarships for Pakistani students from flood-affected areas is a positive development that will help provide opportunities for higher education to those who may not have been able to pursue it otherwise. Additionally, the US government’s ongoing support for higher education in Pakistan, particularly for women, is a commendable effort towards promoting gender parity and empowering future generations of Pakistanis.
For more information on US support for education in Pakistan visit the official website of USAID.