U.S. Consul General Kristin Hawkins joined Higher Education Commission Director General for Human Resource Development Aayesha Ikram and University of the Punjab Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalid Mahmood in awarding scholarships to 40 high-achieving Pakistani undergraduate students from flood-affected families last year. These scholarships, made possible by USAID's Merit and Needs-based Scholarship Program (MNBSP), will help students complete their degrees at seven Punjab universities. "Higher education allows students from all socioeconomic backgrounds to develop the knowledge and skills required to compete and succeed in the twenty-first century," said Consul General Hawkins. "We are delighted to assist these outstanding students in finishing their studies so that they can pursue their personal and professional goals as Pakistan's future leaders."
Aayesha Ikram, HEC Director General for Human Resource Development, praised the United States' support for higher education in Pakistan, noting that the MNBSP reserves half of its scholarships for female students. She stated that the United States government's contributions to higher education have left a positive legacy that spans 75 years. The MNBSP, a partnership between the HEC and 30 Pakistani universities funded by USAID, offers university scholarships to students pursuing degrees at selected Pakistani universities. The scholarships cover tuition, housing, textbooks, and a stipend for food. Since its inception in 2004, the MNBSP has provided scholarships to over 6,000 high-achieving students from low-income families throughout Pakistan.
