Pakistan has awarded SL Rs 2.56 million educational scholarships to 107 bright Sri Lankan students of O/L and A/L under Jinnah Educational Scholarship programme, Pakistan High Commission in Colombo told Business Recorder on Thursday.
In an e-mail message, PHC, Colombo, said that an award-giving ceremony of Jinnah Educational Scholarship 2011 was held at Ananda College Auditorium in which Rauf Hakeem, Minister of Justice, participated as Chief Guest. High Commissioner of Pakistan, Seema Ilahi Baloch, a large number of students and their families and other dignitaries participated in the ceremony.
The Government of Pakistan has been awarding the Jinnah Educational Scholarships since 2005 and so far over 800 Sri Lankan Students have already been benefited by this scheme. During the past 6 years over Rs 20 million worth of scholarships have been awarded for promoting the Sri Lankan youth and the education sector in Sri Lanka.
The scholarships are awarded on the basis of strict criteria involving merit and need for financial assistance. Under the programme, each successful student receives stipend of SL Rs 24, 000 as assistance for one year to pursue its studies. The scholarships are named after the founder of Pakistan, a great statesman, and leader of the Sub-Continent, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
In addition to the Jinnah Educational Scholarships, every year Pakistan offers fully funded scholarships in Medicine, Engineering, Pharmacy and Dentistry to Sri Lankan students to pursue higher professional education in Pakistan. Addressing the ceremony Pakistan High commissioner Seema Ilahi Baloch emphasised the importance of collaboration between the two friendly countries for the socio-economic uplift of the 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 can have resilience to sustain against emerging challenges; strong societies make stronger nations. "We should help each other to be stronger in the face of contemporary challenges," she added.
The Sri Lankan Minister for Justice, Rauf Hakeem in his address praised Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for his efforts to emancipate the people of the sub-continent from the shackles of colonialism. He said Pakistan government's support in the education of the needy Sri Lankan students shows its commitment toward the bilateral co-operation between these two countries.
Rauf Hakeem said, Pakistan is a close friend of Sri Lanka and has helped Sri Lanka in times of crisis. He said that this scholarship programme has benefited students from all communities for past 6 years to create better professionals amongst the young citizens for the future benefit of this country. This will also further cement the good relationship between these two great nations. The 107 successful students were presented with cash and certificates by the distinguished guests during the ceremony.