May 03, 2008	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 26, 1429

ISLAMABAD, May 2: A farewell ceremony for 60 Fulbright award recipients of Batch-III was held at the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Secretariat here on Friday.

Fulbright scholarship programme is a joint venture of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and HEC for master’s degree and doctoral studies in different fields. So far, 372 master’s and 100 PhD scholarships have been awarded under the scheme.

Referring to the importance of the opportunity, HEC Executive Director Dr Sohail Naqvi said scholars had won these awards absolutely because of their capabilities after passing through a very comprehensive and highly competitive process.

He wished them good luck in their studies in the United States.

He advised them to benefit from the vast opportunities that would be available to them, and emphasised the significance of projection of real Muslim culture and values like brotherhood, respect and tolerance.

Dr Naqvi also reminded the scholars of their great cultural, social and religious values and responsibilities to the homeland. He urged them to learn and return and put their share for the development of their nation and the motherland.—APP