PM’s laptop scheme: Lists of recipients being finalised

Around 10,000 college, university students will get laptops

RAWALPINDI: The Directorate of Colleges Rawalpindi Division and two universities are finalising lists of students who will get laptops under the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme.

An official in the directorate told The Express Tribune that around 10,000 students will be given laptops under the scheme.

The official, who requested not to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media, said that criterion was being set for the college students to apply for the scheme. There are currently 90 girls and boys colleges in Rawalpindi division, which comprises Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal and Rawalpindi.

The official said that 2,000 laptops have been distributed among MPhil and PhD students at different universities in Rawalpindi and Islamabad so far.

He said that last year, students of postgraduate colleges and universities were given laptops without following any criterion, but this time the provincial government was considering grades and other measures.

“Students who got at least 60 per cent marks in graduation and post-graduation will also be considered for the scheme,” he said.

The official said that the students will have to fill an online form, available at the Higher Education Commission website, to apply for the programme. “The students just need to mention the name of their university and admission or registration number at the university. The HEC will send the filled form to their respective universities to confirm the student’s registration,” he said, adding that the HEC will also remain in touch with the students through email.

Colleges Director Humayun Iqbal said, however, that no criterion was under consideration for college students. “We will share everything with the media when the scheme is formally launched,” he said.

Fatima Jinnah Women University Spokesperson Faiza Yasmeen also confirmed that lists of MPhil and PhD students were being finalised.

Meanwhile, students also welcomed the scheme.

“I appreciate the move as I need a laptop to complete my research work,” said Muhammad Imran, an MPhil student at the Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi (AAUR). He said that most of the students could not afford to buy laptops.

Besides laptops, provision of Internet connections has given further relief to students. Sajid Tareen, an MPhil student at AAUR, said that the connections will help the students get easy access to online research material.

“We had to go to net cafes or libraries and search for books. The availability of an internet connection will help us a lot and allow us to work round-the-clock,” said Tareen.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2014.