PESHAWAR, Dec 23: Vice-Chancellor of the University of Peshawar Mumtaz Gul on Friday said that there were many universities in the world offering scholarships for higher education and urged students to avail themselves of the opportunities. He was speaking at a programme on “academic views” at the Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Auditorium Hall on Friday.

He said studying abroad was a great experience for students and that was the reason the government was encouraging students to go for higher studies.

He said he was concerned to see students were not taking interest in getting scholarships as it would bring them at par with international standards. “Seeking admission in foreign universities was simple and they could get admission forms online.”

He said the nation’s survival depended on quality education and foreign universities offered quality education, which is essential for the country’s growth.

Monbusho Alumni Association of Pakistan President Sikandar said that each year the Japanese government offered 11 scholarships for PhDs. “Though the number is low but it can be increased in future and students of the NWFP should take benefit from it as its procedure is very simple.”

He said there were two types of PhD scholarships: one inside the country which included students being sent to Japan for training and the other in which students spent their entire period in Japanese universities.

Dr Najam Siddiqi, Secretary General of the Association, and Prof Dr Nisar also spoke on the occasion.