Category: Education

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) The IBA, Centre for Excellence in Islamic Finance (IBA CEIF) conducted one day Executive Learning course on Shari’ah Compliant Business Solutions for Corporate Customers.

The course provided the insights to the participants about the Islamic financial and banking solutions for businesses. The session also covered the basic parameters of Shari’ah framework and its modern-day application in Islamic banking and capital markets. The course progresses to cover the solutions for business related to Islamic financing modes for working capital financing and Sukuk as an ideal capital market instrument for large corporates and public sector enterprises.

Meezan Bank collaborated with IBA CEIF for this course and invited its corporate customers to attend the executive course on Islamic banking solutions.

Senior Finance Managers, CFOs, Director Finance, CEOs and other senior officials from leading corporate and business houses from Lahore participated in the course.

German diplomat stresses more efforts to sustain skills development pace

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Consul General of Germany in Karachi, Mr. Holger Ziegeler, while assuring continued support of his country for technical and vocational education and training in Pakistan, has urged the government and private sector to ensure sustainability of their joint efforts and achievements in skills development as it would open more job opportunities as well as lead to economic stability.

He expressed these views at a ceremony ‘Showcasing of TVET Reforms in Sindh and Balochistan’ organized in Karachi by the donors-funded TVET Sector Support Programme (SSP) to highlight the programme’s achievements of decade-long efforts in Pakistan.

The TVET SSP is collaborated with the federal government to bring reforms in the TVET sector since 2011. Launch of TVET Policy, National Vocational Qualification Framework, competency-based training approach and engagement of private sector in the reform process are the key paradigm-shifts brought by the government in the past 10 years with the support of TVET SSP.

The programme has been commissioned by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and is being implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaftfür Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in collaboration with the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), provincial Technical Education and Vocational Training Authorities (TEVTAs) and large number of private sector organizations.

The Germany diplomat said that he sees great potential in not only relying on jobs but also entrepreneurship models and development of small and medium level enterprises for people to benefit from economic opportunities in Pakistan.
“We hope that the TVET SSP continues to bring change in the lives of people of Pakistan and will ensure sustainable growth for the society and the economy of Pakistan,” he remarked.

Chief Secretary Sindh, Mumtaz Ali Shah was the Chief Guest on the occasion, besides Country Director GIZ Pakistan Mr. Tobias Becker, Ms. Iris Cordelia Rotzoll, Head of TVET SSP, Chairman NAVTTC Syed Javed Hassan and all the stakeholders of TVET SSP attended the event.

In his remarks as chief guest, Chief Secretary Sindh, Mumtaz Ali Shah said that after a decade of reforms in TVET sector and with the support of European Union, Germany and Norwegian Embassy, Pakistan is moving towards sustainable socio-economic growth. “Our huge pool of young graduates entering the job market every year can now have maximum job opportunities and entrepreneurship options to avail through their skills polished thanks to TVET SSP,” he said.

Earlier, in her welcome remarks, Iris Cordelia Rotzoll said that TVET reforms initiated in 2011 by the Government of Pakistan were the best initiative for the people especially for the youth to bring them in the mainstream of skilled work force. “We are satisfied that TVET SSP assists the government in the great cause and it achieved the best output,” she maintained.

Chairman NAVTTC Syed Javed Hassan said that initiatives like TVET SSP are essential to bring opportunities for youth to compete in the national and international labour markets. NAVTTC in close collaboration with the GIZ are equipping thousands of young people with competency-based trainings and preparing them for employment opportunities for skilled workers.

Tobias Becker remarked that Pakistan is a country with great potential not only in physical resources but in human resource too. “We have just to polish the skills of youth and they emerged as the best skilled force for working in national and international labour market as well. TVET SSP being the flagship programme of GIZ is showing encouraging results,” he said.

A festival of agency, innovation and partnerships

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) The much-anticipated three-day Pakistan Learning Festival (PLF), an initiative of the Children’s Learning Festival (CLF), kicked off with a series of interactive sessions and activities on Tuesday, November 14, 2021 at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi. PLF is the flagship program of civil society organisation Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA)

The event, being co-hosted by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi ; Secretary School Education and Literacy Department (SELD), Govt of Sindh Ghulam Akbar Laghari; and DC South Irshad Ali Sodhar, is being held in partnership with Bank of Punjab, Habib Metropolitan Bank, Oxford University Press (OUP), Room to Read (RtR), British Council Pakistan, National Foods, Sindh Education Foundation (SEF), EdLab Pakistan, Learning Pitch, CandyLand, Essa Laboratories, Lightstone Publishers, Sightsavers Pakistan, SOC Films, Telenor, Oxfam in Pakistan, UNESCO, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Museum and K-Electric.

Sindh Minister for Information and Labour Saeed Ghani inaugurated the three-day event as the Chief Guest along with SELD Secretary Laghari and CLF Goodwill Ambassador Ahsan Khan. The minister appreciated ITA and CLF’s efforts for providing an inclusive learning platform and a wonderful avenue to improve exposure to innovative and exciting new means of learning, especially post Covid-19. Actor Ahsan Khan thrilled the audience with his presence and talked about promoting learning and protection as well as making Faiz Ahmed Faiz popular in schools and classes.

The festival began with National Anthem sung by students of Deaf Reach in the packed Sohail Rana Open Theatre, followed by the diverse St. Joseph’s Convent (SJC) Choir singing the inspirational CLF anthem ‘Humain Kitab Chahiye’ written by Zehra Nigah and composed by Rakae Jamil. ITA CEO Baela Raza Jamil, shared with the audience elements of the magic of CLF and its transformation into PLF. She shared how ITA and CLF continued to work during COVID so that learning never stops, adding that the PLF is a part of ITA’s efforts to mitigate the learning losses incurred due to school closures. Ameena Saiyid, co-founder CLF and its advisor, acknowledged the contribution of sponsors and partners to the cause of promoting the joy of reading, creativity and learning among our children and teachers.

A selection of 28 colorful and exciting children’s books, produced by RtR and adapted into Sindhi by ITA under the Pakistan Literacy Project (PLP) were launched in the presence of esteemed guests. Four other books – Aik Sabaq Seekha by child author Aminah Alavi, Kaun Badshah Banna Chahta Hai by RtR and translated in Braille by SightSavers, Hamara Adabi Jashan written and illustrated by Maria Riaz, and Amai and Shabnam by Fauzia Minallah were also launched. Meanwhile, BoP CEO and President Zafar Masud announced the winners of Young Author Award 2021-2022 as the guest of honor.

OUP Managing Director Arshad Saeed Husain, British Council Area Director Michael Houlgate, EDLAB Co-founder and Director Muhammad Baqar, Abdullah Khan from Telenor and Saira Khan from National Foods also participated and lauded the efforts of ITA and CLF in organizing this hybrid learning festival. Kitab Gari, a mobile rickshaw library rightly called ‘Jadoo Gari’, was also launched at the PLF and engaged the children, teachers and families through interactive activities throughout the day.

The first day saw the grounds and halls packed with children with multiple parallel sessions taking place in venues named after Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Sohail Rana, Haseena Moin, Ahmed Shah, Fahmida Riaz, Mohenjo-daro, Anita Ghulam Ali, Sadiqain ki Gali, Jamshed Nusserwanjee Mehta courtyard and Burns Road. The day was full of lively activities and sessions with the highlights being a conversation with Dr. Arfa Syeda Zehra, Zehra Nigah and Mahtab A. Rashdi ‘Adab, Zuban aur Tehzeeb’; poetry session ‘Aao Bait Bazi Seekhain’ by Syed Nusrat Ali; concert by SJC choir; book launches by PLP and young authors moderated by Rumana Husain, Saiyid, Dr. Fouzia Khan, Rashdi and Atiya Dawood; and panel discussion on Climate Change and Global Warming by Tofiq Pasha Mooraj, Azra Raza and a student which was moderated by Afia Salam. The event thus served as a platform to connect literary figures, thinkers, poets, and artists who produce new knowledge, with the children, teachers, parents and caregivers who are searching for effective and accelerated ways of learning in such difficult and uncertain circumstances.

The multiple sessions and activities at PLF Karachi were all carefully curated and conducted by renowned Resource Persons. This included theatre play ‘Jungle Jungle Zindabad’ by Sheema Kermani of  Tehrik-e-Niswan; Music, Math and Nature by Asif Sinan; Let’s Talk Films for Social Change by Samar Minallah; open mic session ‘Bol Ke Lab Azaad Hain Teray’ by Atif Badar and Seema Zahid; Cinema Ghar; Saying it with Gogi Cartoons by cartoonist Nigar Nazar.

Not only this, the Art of Bookmaking by OUP, STEAM activities by Science Fuse, numeracy-heritage by SBP Museum, tiny tales and arts & crafts by British Council Library, Environment and Climate Change Corner by the Grand Maali of Pakistan Tofiq Pasha Mooraj, Digital-3D activities by Wonder Tree, Learning Pitch, Teach the World Foundation (TTWF) and Popup Learning; interactive activities by SEF and DIY arts and crafts by Naunehal Magazine attracted hordes of inquisitive children in the courtyard. The arts and crafts workshops, such as those by the acclaimed Salma Habib, also generated a lot of interest. The day closed with indeed an unforgettable concert Ali Hamza Rakae Jamil and Rappers Waqas aka “Kakay”.
The PLF/CLF/TLF are ITA’s flagship nationwide programs, promoting learning and above all social emotional learning especially at the time of COVID-19. They have a nationwide footprint, having completed 74 CLFs in all provincial capitals, Islamabad and over 25 districts of the country, digital CLFs and PLFs, collectively reaching over 1.6 million children and teachers since its inception in November, 2011.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) On the occasion of LUMS celebrating its 35^th anniversary, the University acknowledged the leadership of its founding members as well as its visionary partnership with the industry through a special commemorative ceremony hosted at the campus on December 11, 2021. The University’s senior leadership including Founding Pro Chancellor, Syed Babar Ali; Pro Chancellor, Mr. Abdul Razak Dawood; Rector, Mr. Shahid Hussain; Member Board of Trustees, Dr. Parvez Hassan and Vice Chancellor, Dr. Arshad Ahmad were present at the occasion.

The evening was a special tribute to all the donors who played a pivotal role in the successful journey of LUMS and its transformational endeavours through their generous contributions in the last 35 years. The attendees included notable donors from philanthropists, alumni, corporate representatives, Government bodies, and bilateral agencies who had contributed significantly towards LUMS success since its inception.

Welcoming the guests at the event, Ms. Nuzhat Kamran, Director of Advancement and an alumna of the University, spoke of the transformational experience of being a LUMS student and how the over 15,500 alumni are making the university proud across the globe. She highlighted the University’s effort to be accessible to talent across the country. An inspirational video story of a female National Outreach Programme scholarship beneficiary of LUMS who started her journey with humble beginnings and went on to assume a leadership role in the UK, was also shared with audience. The LUMS National Outreach Programme recently received the CASE Platinum Award for the ‘Best Practices in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’ category, and is a highly prestigious scholarship, providing full tuition waivers and additional support for meritorious scholars to facilitate their education at LUMS.

The highlight of the event included recognition of the industry-academia partnership that has acted as a key enabler for LUMS to promote country-wide access to high quality education in Pakistan. The ceremony included a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Arshad Ahmad, LUMS Vice Chancellor, with the University’s founding members about the inception and journey of LUMS and how they envision its future evolution.

Syed Babar Ali emphasised on the importance of steadfastness and persistence that led to the inception of LUMS from a vision to a reality. Mr. Abdul Razak Dawood spoke about the strong values of tolerance, discussion, merit, and hard work that has been embedded in the academic culture of LUMS and has successfully steered it towards success over the last three decades. Dr. Parvez Hassan recalled the achievements of LUMS, particularly in the field of law, and how it is helping Pakistan’s judiciary in its capacity building efforts. Mr. Shahid Hussain outlined the current and future roadmap of LUMS and how it aims to grow its impact by further strengthening its alliance with the industry to play an even stronger role towards transforming society through education.

While addressing the audience, Dr. Arshad Ahmad spoke about the University’s learning without borders philosophy, cross disciplinary research on challenges related to managing water informatics and formulating strategic recommendations on electric vehicles policy – projects that are making an impact by defining strategic guidelines on how to tackle issues of national importance through effective solutions. The event culminated with the presentation of shields to the distinguished donors.

 

 

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) will be hosting its third Africa Members Convention (AMC) from 14th to 16th December 2021, for the first time online.

The theme this year is ‘Repositioning the profession in Africa to drive and support economic recovery, sustainability, and social governance’ which has a forward-looking agenda aimed at helping the profession across Africa and globally build and sustain resilience in a still challenging environment due to Covid-19 and the climate crisis.

In shaping the future of the profession, over 6,000 ACCA members in Africa have been invited, alongside key decision and policy makers across economies who will be engaged during the AMC, in order to drive actionable changes. Day 1 will focus on the role of African accountants at the heart of the continent’s route to recovery; day 2 will examine the role of digitalisation on the profession, and day 3 will focus on accountants and their role in policy development in Africa and on the global stage too.

Speaking of the event, Jamil Ampomah, director of ACCA Africa says: ‘We’ve chosen a broad theme that brings together the issues which confront finance professionals and business leaders every day of their lives. Our theme also builds on the work at our first two Africa Member Conventions. In Ethiopia in 2017 we addressed the impact of socio-economic trends on the future of finance and business in Africa, and in Rwanda in 2019 we explored the evolution of finance as Africa thrives amid disruption.’

‘We believe that this event will help the accountancy profession and its stakeholders deal with the challenges and opportunities ahead for 2022, supporting them to understand the new and emerging environment in which it works.’

Key speakers at the AMC include: 1. Ms. Orla Collins FCCA, ACCA president 2. Dr. Ndidi Edozien, Chair at Circular Economy Innovation Partnership 3. Mr. Shailen Ramgoolam, Partner EY, Mauritius 4. Mr. Rodney Ndamba (FCCA), CEO Institute, Sustainability Africa 5. Dr. Bhavish Jugurnath, President of the Africa Emerging Tech Hub 6. Mr Amin Miramago, CEO, Institute of Certified Public Accountants Rwanda, (ICPAR) 7. Ms. Alta Prinsloo, Chief Executive Officer, Pan African Federation of Accountants -PAFA, South Africa 8. Dr. Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, President of Human Capital África and Senior Economic Adviser at África Economic Development Policy Initiative (AEDPI). 9. Mr. Edwin Makori, CEO, Institute of Certified Public Accountants Kenya (ICPAK) ACCA members can register for the AMC online here.

ACCA has also opened up this event to non-ACCA members, who can also register at the same address.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) In pursuit of its ‘let’s go digital’ mission, Pakistan’s cellular and digital services frontrunner, Zong, has partnered with The Star School in Okara’s Wasawewala locality to set up a digital lab there. Zong is facilitating the school with a computer lab for digital and curriculum learning. Currently, the school has a computer curriculum and teachers but lacks computers to practically learn and practice. The digital lab set up by Zong will plug this gap and allow the young students and their teachers to access digital education and match their pace with the world in terms of modern education.

“The digital lab in Wasawewala School is aimed at reducing the digital divide that continues to be massive especially among the underserved segments of Pakistani society. The initiative is in line with the country’s vision of Digital Pakistan of which Zong is a key enabler. This is one of the many steps we have taken and plan to take in the future to digitally empower the Pakistani masses and open the doors of opportunities for them.” shared Zong’s official spokesperson. Gul-e-Mariam, Chairperson of “The Star School “ Wasawewala campus ( registered elementary school for girls ) emphasized that in rural areas the digital divide is adding to lack of awareness and education.

Commenting on the partnership Gul-e-Mariam said “Poverty, socio cultural barriers and powerful gender norms in the patriarchal rural system adds to the problems of female literacy. To alleviate poverty and increase female literacy and hence economic empowerment we need to educate our women in rural areas. Digitalizing Wasawewala girls’ school has opened avenues of awareness and doors of opportunity to females of Wasawewala as well as the surrounding areas. We aim to conduct awareness sessions on health, education and connect class rooms from urban schools to our rural school campus.” She further added, “We express our gratitude to the Zong team for their support in spreading the light of knowledge and trying to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural schools.”

Zong’s has lately accelerated its efforts to promote digital education in Pakistan. Recently, the company joined hands with Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) to launch an online course called ‘How to E-lance’. The efforts are aimed to expand the digital learning outreach and support even more young people, especially women, who face mobility and safety challenges to get digitally connected and establish online careers.

Islamabad (Muhammad Yasir) Acknowledging the significant role of private sector in the country’s sustainable economic development, experts at a webinar have emphasized on the importance of private sector’s inclusion in the TVET sector to ensure productive as well as skilled workforce. The webinar was organized by the TVET Sector Support Programme (SSP) titled “Private Sector Engagement: A Way-forward to Decent Economic Opportunities for Skilled Graduates and a Sustainable TVET Eco-System” in Islamabad. The TVET SSP has been commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and is being implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in close collaboration with the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), provincial Technical Education and Vocational Training Authorities (TEVTAs) and other private sector organizations. Purpose of the webinar was to aware masses on the private sector’s participation in technical and vocational education & training (TVET) as an essential for the success of technical and vocational education and training as well as labour market growth.

Omair Abubaker, Private Sector Engagement Expert and National Coordinator, GIZ-Pakistan, moderated the webinar. He discussed about the importance of Public-Private Partnership in TVET sector and technical and vocational trainings for creating opportunities for youth of Pakistan with the panelists. The speakers highlighted how collaboration of public & private sectors in TVET from designing of curriculum to TVET delivery and workplace-based trainings is indispensable to create economic opportunities for trainees, TVET graduates and to create sustainable socio-economic environment.

Giving expert opinion in the webinar, Chief People Officer, KIA Lucky Motors Corporation, Ashaar Saeed, said that the SSP’s engagement of private sector is the need of the time for ensuring the country’s sustainable development and achieving sustainable eco-system. He also said the TVET SSP is committed to empower youth of the country, however, it can’t be achieved until industry is involved in the programme and share its role for development. While speaking about the empowerment that could be attained through skills enhancement, Arshia Ahmed Saqib remarked that seeing rapid entrance of youth in labour market and not getting jobs was very stressful, however, TVET emerged as a turnaround for youth. “When private industry engages with the TVET SSP, this enhances and creates the best career opportunities for the youth,” she asserted.

In her remarks, Head of TVET SSP, GIZ-Pakistan, Iris Cordelia Rotzoll, said inclusion of private sector in TVET is a way forward for decent employment opportunities. “When private sector stakeholders participate in decision-making processes related to TVET sector management, it paves the way for sustainable demand-driven TVET system for economic prosperity of the country,” she argued.

The speakers were of the consensus view that TVET SSP is reshaping the future of our youth by including industry and enhancing work-place based training opportunities for youth to learn on-the-job trainings and compete in labour market. During the webinar, it was also deliberated how public sector bodies should work in close collaboration with the private sector organizations for the widespread and success of technical and vocational education and training. This engagement with TVET decision making and implementing bodies will generate human capital.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) ACCA and SEED Ventures (Pvt.) Limited, in collaboration with InfraZamin Pakistan and CFA Society Pakistan, organised an event titled ‘ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance): Business Integration, Public Trust & Brand Reputation’ on 30th November 2021 at Acton House Gardens, British Deputy High Commission, Karachi. The event captured diverse insights from seasoned business leaders (national and MNCs) representing capital markets, corporate governance, banking and financial services; who stressed on the importance of ESG awareness, its mainstreaming – as well as leveraging it to enhance public trust. Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Chairperson, Pakistan Stock Exchange, was the Guest of Honour at the event. She shared her vision for adoption of ESG in Pakistan – with particular reference to ESG as a key driver for enhancing investor confidence including foreign direct investment. Mike Nathavrianakis, British Deputy High Commissioner, shared his perspective on why ESG is important for Pakistan and congratulated ACCA, SEED Ventures, InfraZamin Pakistan and CFA Society Pakistan for leading the ESG conversation. A high-octane panel discussion, comprising high-profile speakers, recommended – integration of ESG at board level, banking sector’s strategy and future-plan for socially responsible lending and finance; how ESG is imperative for a fairer and more transparent reporting of information for stakeholders’ decision making, including facilitation of project and infrastructure financing decisions; how growing information availability is empowering millennials and Gen-Z, who comprehend ESG as a key pillar for future sustainability; and finally, how ESG index driven capital markets promote sustainable investments.

The panel consisted of Ahsan Jamil, CEO, Pakistan Institute of Corporate Governance, Amir Paracha, Chairman and CEO, Unilever Pakistan, Farrukh H. Khan, CEO and Managing Director, Pakistan Stock Exchange, Maheen Rahman, CEO, InfraZamin Pakistan and Shazad Dada, President and CEO, UBL; and was moderated by Shaista Ayesha, CEO, SEED Ventures. At the event, ACCA signed MOUs with SEED Ventures and InfraZamin Pakistan to formalise partnership and commitment to ESG related agendas. Sajeed Aslam, Head of ACCA Pakistan said: ‘We have come to know the great work of SEED Ventures and InfraZamin Pakistan through recent collaboration. Our MOU formalises our working relationship with the aim of helping our members, students and other stakeholders better understand the sustainability agenda and associated governance, compliance and risk matters.

Shaista Ayesha, CEO Seed Ventures, added: ‘The accountancy profession has a key role to play in understanding, monitoring and acting on non-financial risks such as climate change and and we are together committed to enhance ESG’s growing importance for sustainable businesses.

InfraZamin Pakistan’s CEO, Maheen Rahman, expressed confidence that the MOU with ACCA will strengthen awareness on adoption of ESG practices to improve infrastructure financing decisions as well as educating organisations about climate and nature related action.

Islamabad (Muhammad Yasir)  The Citizens Foundation (TCF), perhaps the largest network of independently run schools in the world, is set to be featured at the Expo 2020 Dubai’s Global Best Practices Programme in December 2021.

This week as the Expo 2020 Dubai celebrates the Knowledge and Learning Week, we will see many organisations such as TCF highlighting best practices in education to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

The Citizen’s Foundation is a leading non-profit working to provide quality education in Pakistan’s most neglected rural and slum communities where we find children, especially girls, out of school. Pakistan is the world’s sixth most populous country and has the second-highest number of out-of-school children in the world. These children in Pakistan often face deep-rooted structural inequalities that are most often linked to gender biases, poverty and lack of access to quality schools.

What started as a discussion among 6 friends to correct their country’s trajectory, has now become a national movement and a global best practice. TCF has evolved a model to deliver quality education at scale. It runs 1,687 schools in 62 districts across Pakistan. Currently it has an enrollment of 275,000 students, of which nearly 50% are girls.

“When we started TCF we wanted to ensure that girls received an equal opportunity to study. That is why we make sure that all TCF schools are within walking distance to communities. We also hire only female teachers to encourage parents to send their daughters to school,” says Ateed Riaz, Co-founder and Chairman of The Citizens Foundation.

Hiring only female teachers has made TCF one of the largest private employers of women in Pakistan with a faculty of 12,950 women. TCF not only provides transportation to these teachers to and from the schools but also conducts a rigorous training of over 120 hours annually to develop their capabilities and ensure quality education in its classrooms.

“Ensuring that we make a lasting impact in the lives of our students, we decided to provide support beyond just school years,” says TCF’s CEO Asaad Ayub Ahmad. “TCF provides ongoing support to its Alumni through scholarships and its Alumni Development Programme where it helps students obtain admissions in universities.” To date 50,500 students have graduated from TCF Schools and this year 733 TCF alumni have received admission in the top universities in Pakistan.

Today, TCF alumni are serving as agents of positive change and inspiring change in their communities.  One such alumna is Dr. Sidra Saleem, daughter of a daily-wage laborer, who grew up in a slum in Karachi. Sidra is now a Doctor of Neurology in Toledo, Ohio and is in her second year of medical residency. She is just one of thousands of TCF alumni who beat all odds and are on the path to success through quality education.

For 26 years, TCF is working to transform the children of Pakistan into agents of positive change. TCF remains committed to its mission and magnifying its impact by reaching 2 million agents of positive change by the year 2030. It aims to do this by continuing to expand the formal schooling programmes, supporting alumni through higher education, providing structured interventions for basic literacy and life skills to communities outside the context of formal schooling and nurture and expand partnerships with provincial governments and social enterprises to confront the massive education crisis faced by Pakistan.

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

The government on Tuesday extended the last date to submit applications for the Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship Programme until December 31. 

In a statement issued, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Dr Sania Nishtar said the decision has been taken in order to facilitate the maximum number of deserving students to apply for this opportunity.

The Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarships are for students who belong to low-income families, whose monthly income is less than Rs45,000, and marginalised regions to assist them in their undergraduate studies.

Who is eligible?

Per the details mentioned on the Higher Education Commission (HEC) website, scholarships are offered for:

• Newly admitted students of Fall 2021 session in HEC recognised public sector university
• Students fulfilling criteria of need and provide authentic information required under the project’s policy.
• Admissions secured on merit only. Merit means that the student has fulfilled the admission criteria of the institution in which he/she intends to study.
• Degree programmes allowed by the HEC.
• The age limit set by the institution’s regulations, i.e. the maximum age of the eligibility for the scholarship is the same as the maximum age for applying for admission in undergraduate programs at the HEI.

All students are required to apply through HEC online application system: https://ehsaas.hec.gov.pk/

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