ISLAMABAD, April 29: Italy will offer eight scholarships every year to Pakistani students aspiring to pursue higher studies in engineering, social sciences and basic scientific research.

This was agreed upon in a meeting between Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Prof (Dr) Attaur Rehman and Italian Ambassador Dr Roberto Mazzatto here on Friday.

Modalities to award scholarships were also finalized during the meeting.

The HEC will provide a list of candidates, recently been selected by it through a nationwide competition for the award of foreign scholarships, to the Italian embassy.

Final selection will be made by a committee consisting of representative of Pakistani authorities and the Italian embassy.

The scholarships will initially be for one year and may be further extended depending on the value and duration of the course and performance of the scholarship holder.

During the meeting, matters related to improving cooperation between Pakistan and Italy in the fields of higher education and science and technology came under discussion.

Talking to the ambassador, Prof Ata said the HEC desired to send 100 to 200 Pakistani students to various Italian universities every year.