Islamabad, The government of Pakistan through its High Commission in Sri Lanka has awarded SL Rs. 2.56 million educational scholarships on to 107 bright Sri Lankan students of O and A levels under Jinnah Educational Scholarship programme. The award ceremony of Jinnah Educational Scholarship 2011 was held at Ananda college Auditorium with Rauf Hakeem, Minister of Justice as chief guest, in Colombo. Pakistan’s High Commissioner Seema IIlahi Baloch, embassy officials and other dignitaries attended the ceremony besides a large number of students and their families, says a statement issued by High Commission in Colombo.
So far over 800 Sri Lankan Students have benefitted from Jinnah Educational Scholarships since 2005. During past six 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 a 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 for following their studies.
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.
The High commissioner of Pakistan H.E Seema Illahi Baloch in her brief remarks emphasized the importance of collaboration between the two brotherly countries for the upliftment of people.
She reiterated Pakistan’s continued support to Sri Lanka in enhancing younger generation’s nation building capacities with better educational opportunities.
Chief Guest Rauf Hakeem in his address praised Quaid-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah for his efforts to emancipate the people of sub continents from the shackles of colonialism.
He said Pakistan government’s support in the education of the needy Sri Lanka students shows its commitment toward the bilateral cooperation between these two countries.
The 107 successful students were presented with cash and certificates by the distinguished guests during the ceremony.