Jinnah Scholarships for Lankan students

Educational scholarships amounting to Rs. 3.84 Million were awarded to 160 Sri Lankan students of O/L and A/L under the Jinnah Educational Scholarship Program of the Government of Pakistan.

Minister for City Planning and Water Supply Rauf Hakeem was the Chief Guest on the occasion, while Guests of Honour included the State Minister for National Integration and Reconciliation A.H.M. Fowzie, Secretary, Higher Education, D.C. Dissanayake, Vice Chancellor Buddhist and Pali University Ven. Prof.Gallelle Sumanasiri Thera, Senior government officials and Vice Chancellors of the leading universities. Senior Officers of the High Commission and other dignitaries participated. The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka Maj General (R) Shakeel Hussain reiterated Pakistan's continued support to Sri Lanka to enhance the younger generation's nation-building capacities with better educational opportunities.

The High Commissioner congratulated the students who qualified for the scholarships for the current year. He said people in Pakistan greatly admire Sri Lanka's remarkable progress in the fields of health and education.

He said Pakistan seeks to expand its cooperation with Sri Lanka in education and hoped that it would not only help improve standards in schools but also the curriculum.

He said Pakistan has a number of world class Universities, with world renowned research facilities in Particle Physics, Industrial Chemistry, Bio-technology, Genetic Engineering, Information Technology and Management Sciences. I am sure our universities can accommodate more Sri Lankan students in these diverse fields, he added.

The chief guest Minister Rauf Hakeem praised the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah which emancipated the people of sub continents from colonialism.

He said the Pakistan government's support in the education of needy Sri Lanka students, shows its commitment towards bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Hakeem further said Pakistan is a close friend of Sri Lanka and throughout it has helped Sri Lanka in times of crisis.

He said the scholarship program has benefited students from all communities for the past 10 years to create better professionals among young citizens for the future benefit of this country.

The Government of Pakistan has been awarding Jinnah Educational Scholarships since 2005. During the past 11 years scholarships approximately amounting to Rs. 45 million have been awarded to promote bright Sri Lankan students.

Scholarships are awarded on a strict criteria involving merit and the need for financial assistance. Under the program, each successful student receives a stipend as assistance for one year to pursue studies.

The scholarships are named after the great statesman and leader of the sub continent, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who is the founder of Pakistan.

In addition to the Jinnah Educational Scholarships, every year the Government of Pakistan offers fully-funded scholarships in Medicine, Engineering, Pharmacy and Dentistry to Sri Lankan students to pursue higher professional education in Pakistan.