Jinnah Educational Scholarship Program :

Pakistan awards Rs 3.6 m worth scholarships

The Pakistani Government through its High Commission has awarded Rs 3.6 million worth educational scholarships on June 11 to 150 bright Sri Lankan students of O/L and A/L under Jinnah Educational Scholarship Program.

The Jinnah Educational Scholarship awards ceremony under the auspices of Pakistan High Commission, Colombo was held at Ananda College Auditorium. Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena, Disaster Management Minister A.H.M. Fowzie and Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana participated as Chief Guests. Acting Pakistani High Commissioner Ms Maryam Saeed, University Grants Commission Chairman Prof Samaranaike, Embassy officials and other dignitaries too participated.

The Pakistani Government is awarding the Jinnah Educational Scholarships since 2005 and so far 563 Sri Lankan students have benefited from this scheme.

During the past five years Rs 18 million worth of scholarships have been awarded promoting the Sri Lankan youth and the education sector in Sri Lanka.

The scholarships are awarded on the basis of a strict criteria involving merit and need for financial assistance. Under the program, each successful student receives stipend of SL Rs 24,000 as assistance for following studies.

In addition to the Jinnah Educational Scholarships, every year that Pakistani Government offers fully funded scholarships in medicine, engineering, pharmacology and dentistry to Sri Lankan students to pursue higher education in Pakistan.

Disaster Management Minister A.H.M. Fowzie in his address praised Quiad e Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah for his efforts to emancipate the people of sub continents from the shackles of colonialism. He said that Pakistan government’s support in the education of the needy Sri Lankan students shows its commitment toward the bilateral co-operation between the two countries.

Minister Bandula Gunawardena said, Pakistan is a close friend of Sri Lanka and has helped Sri Lanka in times of crisis. He said this scholarship program has benefited students from all communities for past five years. It has created professionals amongst the young citizens for the future benefit of this country.

This further cements the good relationship between the two great nations, he said.

Governor Alavi Mowlana thanked the Pakistani High Commission for encouraging the Sri Lankan youth and presenting them with cash and certificates.

He added that this scholarship program reflects Pakistan’s commitment for contributing towards betterment of the Sri Lanka education sector and providing deserving students with assistance for continuing their education.

Acting High Commissioner Ms Maryam Saeed emphasized the importance of the collaboration between the two brotherly countries for the uplift of people. She reiterated Pakistan’s continued support to Sri Lanka in enhancing younger generation’s nation building capacities with better educational opportunities.

She stated that only strong societies will have resilience to sustain against emerging challenges; strong societies make stronger nations. “We need to help each other to be stronger in the face of contemporary challenges,” she added.

The 150 successful students were presented with cash and certificates by the distinguished guests during the ceremony.