LAHORE: Another group of 100 girls from disadvantaged areas of the country will get Scottish scholarships from next year to pursue higher education.

“At present, 215 girls are getting scholarships under the Pakistan Scottish Scholarship Scheme for Women in Higher Education,” said two Scottish parliamentarians during an interactive session with the girl recipients of the scholarships studying at various universities, at the Punjab University’s Undergraduate Study Centre on Thursday.

Scottish MP Tasnima Ahmed Sheikh said women in Pakistan were facing a lot of issues to pursue their higher studies. “The Scottish government is providing scholarships to girl students for resolving their financial problems,” said Ms Sheikh who was accompanied by MP Ms Hannah Bardel and British Council Pakistan Country Director Peter Upton. Ms Bardel informed the meeting that the aim of the scholarship programme was to provide financial assistance to women from disadvantaged backgrounds in order to give them the opportunity to pursue postgraduate study. “The scheme facilitates the award-holders with tuition fee for Master’s courses, university hostel cost, subsistence and travel to and from home,” she said.

Earlier, a documentary on the scholarship programme was also screened. Girls from various universities informed the Scottish MPs that because of financial constraints it was impossible for them to obtain higher education because resources were required to complete their studies and work on various research projects. The girls also complained that they would now be able to get better job opportunities after completing their studies.

PU Vice-Chancellor Dr Mujahid Kamran said the number of girls was increasing in higher education in Pakistan and provision of financial assistance to them would make a big difference.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2015

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