HEC sends off 73 scholars to Germany for Ph.D studies

Islamabad
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Wednesday organised a send off ceremony in honour of 73 HEC scholars proceeding to Germany for doctorate.
Ina Lepel Ambassador of Germany was the chief guest on the occasion.
Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, chairman HEC and Dr Barth Manzoori, Section Head of DAAD the German Academic Exchange Service were also present.
Interviews were held for selection of scholars under the Overseas
Scholarship Scheme Phase II and Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Project in May 2015 wherein 56 and 17 scholars were recommended for Ph.D scholarship respectively.
Out of 73 candidates 13 were recommended for MS cum Ph.D while the rest were selected for Ph.D studies.
Speaking on the occasion Ina Lepel congratulated the students selected from different universities for scholarship through a meritorious tough and demanding procedure.
She said Pakistan s national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal also studied in Germany and the students proceeding to Germany are lucky to follow in his footsteps.
She said as many as 300 Pakistani scholars have already completed their studies at German universities.
The Ambassador said the academic and social life in Germany would provide the students a great opportunity to learn and have new exposures.
She urged the students to make friends enjoy life and learn in Germany.
In his welcome address Dr Mukhtar Ahmed said that HEC has penned agreements with several foreign countries for collaboration.
He said HEC provided 9,800 foreign scholarships to students who are now serving the nation and the world.
He said HEC ensures merit in selection of students and 58 per cent students are from small towns and remote areas.
The Chairman said those who worked in Pakistan before completion of their Ph.Ds earned on average Rs22,000 to Rs25,000 per month but afterwards they earn up to Rs130,000 per month which is a remarkable achievement.
Currently the number of faculty members serving at Pakistani universities was 40,000 while there were only 10,000 Ph.Ds among them the Chairman said stressing We still need to do a lot and go a long way for increasing qualified faculty in our institutions.
We have huge responsibilities.
He said the Government is committed to facilitate students to acquire higher education in the country as well as abroad.
Referring to the Knowledge Corridor proposal with the United States the Chairman said that 10,000 scholarships 1,000 every year will be extended to students under this programme. Dr Mukhtar Ahmed urged the students proceeding to Germany to develop social and academic network with academicians so that it could benefit them and the country in future.
You are going to be the ambassadors of Pakistan in Germany so a great responsibility lies upon you.
You should adopt an exemplary attitude the Chairman said.
He urged the students to work hard and come back to serve the country and nation.
You have to serve not only the country but also the entire humanity.
Speaking on the occasion Dr Barth Manzoori briefed the audience about the DAAD scholarships.
She said that since 2004 DAAD has been collaborating with HEC for sending Pakistani scholars to Germany.
She termed the scholarship holders lucky for getting this opportunity and also appreciated the Government of Pakistan for supporting Ph.D scholars for study in best universities abroad.
She said DAAD representatives will guide and assist the students in Germany.
The scholarship holders also included a visually impaired student Imran Qaisar who lauded and thanked the HEC and the Governments of Pakistan as well as Federation of Republic of Germany.