Karachi (HRNW)- A total of 53 deserving, talented and research-oriented students of the University of Karachi received scholarship cheques amounting to ₨12.19 million under the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC) Indigenous Scholarship Program 2025–26. Among the recipients were 31 female and 22 male students, who will benefit from this financial support to pursue higher education and research.
According to details, the awardees included 38 (14 male and 24 female) MPhil scholars and 15 (eight male and seven female) PhD researchers. Faculty-wise distribution showed that 24 students from the Faculty of Science (10 male, 14 female) received scholarships, while 11 students from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (seven male, four female) were awarded. Similarly, eight students from the Faculty of Islamic Studies (six male, two female), five female students from the Faculty of Pharmacy, three students from the Faculty of Management and Administrative Sciences including two female, and one male, and two female students from the Faculty of Education also received scholarships.
Speaking at the ceremony, SHEC Additional Director Maimoona Shah stated that each year, eligible and deserving students are selected based on set criteria. The selection process considers academic performance, research activities, educational standing, and financial need.
She mentioned that these scholarships, provided by SHEC, represent a significant initiative to promote higher education, encourage research activities, and support talented students facing financial challenges.
She emphasized that fairness and transparency are ensured through the institutional scholarship committee, where merit is the foremost priority. She added that the program’s objectives include providing financial assistance to talented students, encouraging research and higher education across the province, supporting students in attaining advanced degrees, and enhancing academic standards alongside professional development.
Maimoona Shah concluded by noting that no great nation or developed society emerges by chance—sustained and thoughtful investment in education forms the foundation. She reaffirmed SHEC’s commitment to empowering youth by creating more opportunities in education and research.
The KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi remarked that education is the only path to progress, prosperity, and national stability. He urged students to treat these scholarships as a valuable opportunity and utilize them fully for their academic and professional growth. He expressed gratitude to the Government of Sindh and SHEC, noting that these scholarships are proving to be vital support for deserving students in pursuing higher education.
He stressed that promoting quality higher education requires a strong foundational academic structure, effective governance, and responsible conduct. He highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of hard work and fulfilling responsibilities with integrity to put Pakistan on the path of development.
He advised students to always acknowledge the role of their parents and SHEC in their success and expressed hope that more students will benefit from scholarships in the future, enabling greater access to higher education.
The KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi noted that the significant number of female scholarship recipients is encouraging, as it demonstrates that young women are achieving remarkable success in education, research, and other fields. He urged students to apply their education and skills for the betterment of society and the country.
