Begum Zari Sarfraz, a well-known philanthropist and social worker, had declared donation of Rs 1.7 million for the needy and poor students of technical, vocational and paramedical training courses run by Zama Trust.(Zari Sarfraz and Meer Afzal Trust).
She declared this at a seminar here in Islamabad. Zama Trust is a broad-based institution with the objective to offer scholarships and awards, support research facilities and research scholars.
She said that ZAMA Trust is committed to procure help and assistance from other sources and undertake other charitable work in the light of decisions taken by its Board.
She said that ZAMA Trust has designed a countrywide programme of scholarships, and students enrolled in technical, vocational, and paramedical courses would be given scholarships for admission, tuition fees and hostel charges.
She said that after taking one year's technical training, students will become able enough to get employment and support their families. Limited assistance will also be provided for the students facing extreme hardships, tragedy and calamity.
She said that 75 percent of the scholarship fund would be paid to those needy females who are not able enough to get education due to lack of resources, and 60 percent of the scholarship amount is reserved for males technical training courses.
Candidates will be scrutinised by taking guaranty from teachers, parents and institutional record. Genuine candidates will be selected for scholarships so that funds may reach the poor students.
Specific needy students can forward their scholarship applications through website, correspondence and e-mail, secretary ZAMA Trust said.
ZAMA Trust's secretary said that scholarships would be provided, especially for women, for paramedical courses as there are a few females working as paramedical staff.
These paramedical courses are in medical lab courses, x-ray technology, physiotherapy, ophthalmology, bio-medical technology, pathology, anaesthesia technology, health technology, dialysis technology and others, he said.
In Punjab above 60 percent funds are reserved for technical training in 68 trades, whereas technical training is being provided in 32 trades in the province's respective local industry so that employment opportunities are created in their own area. Student performance will be checked in three processes: the start, middle and end, of the technical training courses by the ZAMA Trust.
Secretary ZAMA Trust said that this is the intense desire of Begum Zari Sarfraz to open a learning institution in Mardan , native city of Zari Sarfraz, and for this purpose HEC's approval, staff recruitment and study courses are basic prerequisites.