KARACHI, Jan 5: The Islami Jamiat Talaba, would launch its week-long, annual fund-raising campaign, in different commercial and residential areas of the city from Jan 6.
The IJT expected to collect donations, in cash and in form of books worth over one million rupees, which would be passed on to the needy students at schools, colleges and universities, local IJT leaders claimed.
Speaking at a press conference, held at the Al-Badar Study Centre on Monday, the acting IJT Nazim, Syed Tahir Akbar, said that the organization's "book week" was aimed at providing financial assistance and other supports to the students, who could not bear the rising education costs and feared to be deprived of education due to poverty.
During the week, to be observed in two phases, IJT workers would go from door to door in different areas, appealing the people to extend cash and book donations. The first phase meant for commercial areas, would commence on Jan 6 at the S M Science College, while in the second phase, commencing on Jan 8, funds would be raised at residential areas and from the students and teachers at universities and colleges, he added.
Assisted by the IJT office-bearers of South Zone and University of Karachi, Sufian Dilawar and Syed Nouman Ahmad, respectively, Akbar said that funds, collected during the week, were audited by external and internal auditors. Provision of scholarships or books and Qarza Hasna for educational purposes, holding of academic classes and computer courses, as well as other activities, including book fairs, crash classes, lectures, seminars and entry test preparations, continued round the year with the funds collected from citizens, he added.
To a question, he said that no formal practice to invite applications from needy students existed, and IJT leaders at different educational institutions were contacted for providing assistance and financial support to the 'deserving' students.
He claimed that every year 4000 to 5000 students, were provided monitory or other supports, irrespective of their political or other affiliations. During the academic year 2002-2003, monthly stipends of Rs399,450, admission fees of Rs152,590 and educational loans of Rs29,700, were given to students, while another Rs485,415 were spent on educational activities, he said.