KARACHI: The vice chancellor of the University of Karachi, Prof Dr Wasim Qazi, has said that the varsity will establish a Rs50 million endowment fund for need-cum-merit scholarships, ensuring no talented student is deprived of higher education due to lack of resources.
He was speaking at a programme held to distribute scholarship cheques among students here on Monday.
KU’s Students Financial Aid Office organised the event in collaboration with the University of Karachi Alumni Houston Association (UKAHA), USA.
Speaking on the occasion, the KU vice chancellor said that of the Rs50m endowment fund, Rs20m would be used to promote admissions in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, while the remaining Rs30m would be reserved for assisting meritorious students facing financial constraints.
He said the promotion of education, investment in human resources and collective struggle are the foundations of social development.
He informed the audience that limited financial resources do not become a permanent obstacle to success, provided that individuals keep determination, courage, hard work and education among their priorities.
He also said that acknowledging the sacrifices and cooperation of parents, teachers and society, and returning their due rights, is our collective responsibility.
Dr Qazi urged students not to consider education merely as a means of personal or economic success, but to employ it for the betterment of society and national development.
He reaffirmed his commitment to transform KU into an effective academic and research hub, to provide quality educational opportunities to students, and to nurture independence, responsibility and a spirit of social service among them.
He said that KU’s curriculum would be aligned with the needs of industry, commerce and business sectors, enabling students to gain practical experience, professional training and connections with industrial institutions during their studies, thereby preparing them more effectively for the demands of professional life.
He shared that efforts are underway to establish a Business Incubation Centre, initially at Dr Mehmood Hussain Library, to promote entrepreneurial skills and innovation among students.
Through this centre, he added, students will be able to transform their business ideas into reality, plan projects, and present them to potential investors.
The VC emphasised that extracurricular activities, co-curricular opportunities and social interactions also play a vital role in shaping students’ personalities.
The purpose of education is not merely to obtain degrees, but to prepare talented, confident and creative youth who can meet the demands of practical life, secure better employment opportunities, establish new businesses, and thus contribute effectively to economic and social development, he added.
Earlier, the head of Students Financial Aid Office, Prof Dr Ziasma Hanif Khan highlighted the transparent and rigorous criteria for selecting scholarship recipients.
She informed the gathering that a total of Rs2.1m in scholarships had been distributed among 50 deserving and talented students from various academic departments of KU, based on merit and financial need.
She stated that the UKAHA, USA, had also awarded Rs1.3m in merit-based scholarships to 10 high-performing students of Karachi University Business School.
Prof Khan said that the primary objective of providing scholarships is to help deserving and talented students overcome financial difficulties, encourage their academic performance, and ensure equal opportunities for pursuing higher education.
UKAHA, USA President Muhammad Azam Akhtar expressed his deep association with KU and his commitment to supporting deserving students.
He said that KU is not merely an educational institution, but an integral part of his life, identity and personality. He explained that the establishment of UKAHA in Houston in 2008 aimed to maintain ties with KU and provide financial assistance to deserving students.
Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026
