ISLAMABAD, July 24: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has launched a scheme to award 300 scholarships to those working in public sector, research and development organizations, universities, colleges in the country for post-graduate studies leading to PhD.

The scholarships will be available in the fields of mathematics, statistics, agriculture, veterinary sciences, biological sciences, chemical sciences, chemistry, earth sciences. Arts, humanities and social sciences are not included.

Priority will be given to disciplines which have a direct impact on the economic development of the country.

The main objective of the scheme is to produce 300 PhD scholars in various disciplines of natural sciences, engineering and agriculture sciences in order to have a sizable body of researchers and scholars in various areas of national importance.

The scheme will augment PhD programme in universities and higher education institutions in Pakistan and would exploit the departments, institutes of universities and centres of excellence having potential for higher level teaching and research in new and emerging scientific fields.

The scheme will not only upgrade academic qualifications of 300 scholars of public sector universities, centres of excellence and other research and development bodied but also build academic and research capabilities of higher education institutions.

It would also develop human resources in the country in order to face the challenges of increasing demand for highly specialized and skilled teachers research in universities and institutions of higher learning.

The HEC has announced that those not more than 40 years of age, having at least four years of higher studies with BCS, BSc (Hons) agriculture, ME/MSc, MPhil degree or equivalent qualification in the relevant disciplines from a recognized university will be eligible for the award of scholarship.

They should also hold at least two years regular employment with public sector, research and development organizations, universities and colleges in Pakistan.

The candidates have also been asked to qualify the Graduate Record Examination (GRE-type) general, subject test to be conducted by the HEC, Islamabad.