HYDERABAD: The University of Sindh, Jamshoro, disbursed a record Rs525.77 million in scholarships among 1,074 students in a first-of-its-kind mass distribution, with the scholarships sourced from various government departments, at a ceremony held at the main auditorium of the Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Convention Centre here on Monday.
The cheques were distributed by Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Higher Education Commission (HEC) Sindh Chairman Dr S.M. Tariq Rafi and Sindh University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Fateh Muhammad Marri (TI).
Speaking at the ceremony, Sardar Shah stressed the need for career counselling for students before they enrolled in universities and said many young people chose fields according to the wishes of their elders rather than their own aptitude and interests.
“We often study one thing and end up becoming something else because of the absence of proper career counselling,” he said and recalled that he had started writing poetry after entering college but was enrolled in civil engineering. He said proper career counselling could help universities admit students according to their aptitude and interests, ultimately producing a more skilled and capable workforce for the country.
The minister said the purpose of education was not merely to secure employment but to develop awareness, critical thinking and a broader understanding of society. He urged students to focus on quality education instead of making a job their sole objective.
He also called for scholarships to be awarded strictly on merit and said the Sindh government had recruited around 100,000 teachers on a merit-based system. He cited the example of a candidate who secured a position in the recruitment process despite belonging to a village that did not even have a school.
Speaking about the changing nature of employment, he said the world was rapidly moving towards artificial intelligence (AI), which could reduce the demand for conventional jobs. “If a robot can perform the work of five people, why would an organization need to employ five people?” he asked, urging young people to acquire education and skills in science, particularly computer science and artificial intelligence, to meet future challenges.
Shah clarified that he was not opposed to AI and said some of his recent remarks about artificial intelligence had been presented out of context. He said expertise in science and modern technology would enable young people to remain relevant in an increasingly changing job market.
Referring to Iran’s scientific and technological development, the minister said the country had invested in science education and developing laboratories. He said former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei had encouraged the promotion of science education and laboratories and personally visited educational institutions and laboratories.
He said Iran’s performance in its conflict with the United States should not be viewed as a miracle but as an outcome of its progress in science, technology and artificial intelligence.
Shah also referred to student movements in Bangladesh and protests by young people in India and said students could play an important role in bringing about social change. He urged Pakistani youth to channel their energies into positive activities, particularly higher education.
HEC Sindh Chairman Dr S.M. Tariq Rafi said higher education was of fundamental importance for the development of the country and society. He said scholarships were not merely financial assistance but an important step towards helping students realise their dreams. While financial support was essential, he said, the real challenge was ensuring quality education.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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