Members of Scottish Parliament visit Punjab University

Lahore: Members of Scottish Parliament Ms Tasnima Ahmed Sheikh, also a renowned actress, and Ms Hannah Bardel along with Country Director British Council Pakistan Mr Peter Upton visited Punjab University on Thursday to have interactive session with Scottish scholarship recipients.

PU VC Dr Mujahid Kamran, Director Planning and Development Tariq Majeed Qureshi, Acting Treasurer Rao Muhammad Sharif and female students from various universities who have received scholarships under Pakistan Scottish Scholarship Scheme for Women in Higher Education were present on this occasion at Committee Room of Undergraduate Study Centre.

Addressing the meeting, Dr Mujahid Kamran said that the number of girls was continuously increasing in higher education in Pakistan and it would make a big difference if we provide financial assistance to them. He said that financial assistance to female students would help them pursue their higher education and would reduce their problems.

Ms Tasnima Ahmed Sheikh said that women in Pakistan were facing a lot of issues to pursue their higher studies and the Scottish government was providing scholarships to female students for resolving their financial problems. On this occasion, girls from various universities said that it was impossible for them to obtain higher education because financial resources were required to complete their studies and work on various research projects.

They said that they would now be able to get better job opportunities after completing their studies. A documentary on the scholarship program was also screened and it was briefed that 215 scholarships had been provided to the girls in all various parts of the country and 100 more would be provided next year.

The meeting was briefed that the aim of the scholarship program was to provide financial assistance to women from disadvantaged backgrounds in order to give them the opportunity to pursue post-graduate study. The scheme facilitates the award-holders with tuition fee for Master’s courses, university hostel cost, subsistence and travel to and from home.