Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan has entered into a significant partnership with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) through an MoU signed on Wednesday at the HEC Secretariat. This collaboration falls under HEC’s scholarship programme “Empower Future Female Afghan Leaders – EFFAL Pakistan track initiative.”
The MoU, signed by Ms. Aayesha Ikram, Director General (Scholarships) HEC and Mr. Muhammad Khaskeia, Head of DAAD Government Scholarship Programmes, MENA Region, has two components. It includes 150 scholarships for Afghan refugees for two-year Master’s studies in HEC-recognised universities in Pakistan, and 50 need-based scholarships for socio-economic marginalized areas of Pakistan.
The signing ceremony was graced Ambassador of Germany in Pakistan, Alfred Grannas, Chairman HEC, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, a delegation from DAAD, representatives from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and senior HEC officials.
In his welcome note, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed lauded the transformative initiative aimed at providing crucial assistance to Afghan refugees in Pakistan. He underscored the longstanding history of collaboration between Germany and Pakistan, emphasising the need for further partnerships in various domains as well. He emphasised the necessity for increased collaborations, especially in the fields of climate change, technology, research, and scholarships, recognising these partnerships as essential for peaceful coexistence.
