Ceremony at LCWU Marks Achievements of USAID’s Higher Education Scholarship Programme

LAHORE ( HAFEEZ REPORT )

More than 80 students from four Pakistani universities received scholarships on Wednesday at a ceremony highlighting the achievements of Merit and Needs Based Scholarship Programme (MNBSP) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The ceremony was held at the Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) where senior officials from USAID and Higher Education Commission (HEC) were present.

MNBSP is a $37 million scholarship programme offering fully-funded graduate and undergraduate degrees in 31 public and private  universities in Pakistan. It is being implemented by the Higher Education Commission. Fifty percent of scholarships under the MNBSP Programme are reserved for meritorious and deserving female students.

Speaking at the event, Dr. G. Raza Bhatti, Member (HRD) HEC highlighted various programmes of HEC including local and overseas scholarships projects, faculty and infrastructure development. He appreciated support from the United States government and partner universities in promoting higher education in Pakistan. Dr. Tahira Buttar, Acting Vice Chancellor, LCWU presented welcome address.

Students from University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF), Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore, and Lahore College for Women University(LCWU) received scholarships on the occasion.

Since programme’s inception in 2004, 1807 scholarships have been awarded in 11 Pakistani public and private sector universities. Of these, 1500 students have completed their higher education degrees. Based on the success of Phase-I, USAID expanded the scholarship programme in 2014 to benefit an additional 3000 talented students in need of financial assistance. Students are selected for scholarships based on financial need, after gaining university admission. The fully funded scholarship programme will enable students to pursue higher education at leading agriculture, medical, business, engineering universities of Pakistan over the next five years.