The European Union (EU) has distanced itself from a namesake education foundation, which is promising scholarships to 10,000 Pakistani students each year to study in different universities of Europe, The Express Tribune has learnt.
The EU delegation to Pakistan, headed by Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, issued a statement on Tuesday, stating that the foundation, the 'European Union Education Foundation (EUEF)', was in no way associated with the EU.
"There have been reports in the media recently about an organisation called the EUEF, which is apparently promising stipends to Pakistani students to study in Europe," said Ayesha Babar, the press and public relations officer at the delegation. "[This foundation] neither has any link with the delegation nor does the delegation endorse its activities or statements." Babar also advised the public and media to "use due diligence and precaution when dealing with the EUEF."
The delegation's statement prompted the Sindh education department's reform support unit into action, whose spokesperson on Wednesday clarified that the Sindh government, as well, had no affiliation or connection with the foundation.
"[Since] our partner, the EU delegation to Pakistan, has informed us that they have nothing to do with the foundation, it is advised to the general public, especially students, to be careful when dealing with the EUEF," suggested the reform support unit's spokesperson.
Officials with the EU delegation told The Express Tribune that their namesake education foundation had registered itself in the United Kingdom barely four months ago as the 'EU Education Foundation Limited' under the company registration number - 09073124. "Since they are offering a ridiculous number of scholarships to Pakistani students while flaunting the EU's name and flag on their website, we felt obliged to clarify the situation that the Pakistani citizens will be dealing with them at their own risk," said an official, who requested not to be named.
For the education foundation's part, Azfar Bukhari, project manager and media coordinator, claimed to be surprised over the dual clarifications when approached by The Express Tribune.
"They [the European Union and the Sindh government] should have no objection on our utilising the EU's name or flag with the foundation's name, since we are registered within the EU," asserted Bukhari. "From day one, we never claimed to have any link to the EU, though we have hundreds of colleges and universities across Europe affiliated under this scholarship programme. We are the 'European Union' Education Foundation but we do not have any link with the European Union."
Bukhari, however, refused to disclose the names of the affiliated colleges and universities with the foundation.
The foundation, said Bukhari, intends to launch the first phase of the project by offering scholarships to 3,300 Pakistani students to study in its affiliated universities and colleges in Greece and Cyprus. "Starting from there, an equal number of scholarships will be offered thrice in a year, leading to admissions at universities and colleges in all 26 [sic] member states of the EU."
Published in The Express Tribune, October 17th, 2014.
COMMENTS (12)
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This organization's 1st office was in Brussels , I know as it was near my office there. Recently they have shifted their head office in UK because 80 percent of the affiliated universities are from UK. Otherwise this foundation is there since 9 years almost.
By the way as I was just going through the news , I read it's name mentioned as euorpean union education foundation. So is not it self explanatory. I mean how any foundation can be linked to any government ? So this is already understood it's not linked with EU. I don't think we should doubt any one 's good intentions. Good Luck Pakistan.
I am confused which of the news I should trust now. The first one which was reported by same tribune at the time when this programme was not even officially announced or should I trust now when they are contradicting their own reports news. This programme is not even started yet and people have started their own job of criticizing as we are only good in it. If some organization is trying to do some good for the betterment of our own students , why we are pulling their legs. At the least we should listen what they are saying. If somebody is confused , he or she should do due diligence before applying for this. Just not pass comments for the sake of time pass only.
I have been following all the details of this programme since day one when first time they announced it in some Ramadan Transmission. I have dropped them few emails as well to get information. With reference to the replies which I got from them , they have always introduced themselves as an indepandant company with name of European Union education foundation which will award tuition fee based scholarships to students. I asked them about the financial assistance , and they clearly replied me that scholarship will be in form of reductions in fees and not in form of any cash. So If any one confusing their fee base scholarships with stipend , it's misconception on public's part. You can not blame them for our misunderstanding of this programme.
This organization has always mentioned about their programme as EUEF 's programme. And never said that's it's bring run by EU nor they said they have received any funds regarding this. I am amazed why in the world these people are criticizing a team which is trying to help Pakistani students. I am applying through this scheme with my bunch of friends. According to my information they have large number of college and universities on their panel. That's the reason they are offering scholarships in all fields.
Let us think for a second that they are not fake , Then my friends we must stop raising negative propaganda , i think Pakistani students are talented and if they are provided with a chance , let us support
Good folks like the professor and one doctor so and so should please refrain from praising such dubious schemes which its enterprising designers have concocted in the name of this so called educational foundation. There is nothing new here, bunch of greedy individuals inspired by prevailing culture of self-enrichment by any means, are trying to succeed by any means even if fraudulently. The academics above must disclose, for the sake of their own credibility if nothing else, what is the exact nature of their connection with this Foundation. In the meantime, the potential Victims must be warned before making any payments to them, be it in the name of registration, price of prospectus and application forms or advisory fee.
The EUEF met all the Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries and the Vice Chancellors of many universities in Pakistan, even I have attended their meeting with PM Azad Kashmir and I can witness their stance that the are true right from the beginning, they never said that they have associated with EU in any form. The Programme is a joint venture of EUEF and universities all across EU. Overall its a Great Public service, and Prof Siddiqui is right we should not make this Programme controversial without any reason.
The EUEF met all the Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries and the Vice Chancellors of many universities in Pakistan, even I have attended their meeting with PM Azad Kashmir and I can witness their stance that the are true right from the beginning, they never said that they have associated with EU in any form. The Programme is a joint venture with EUEF and universities all across EU. Overall its a Great Public service, and Prof Sidiqui is right we should not make this Programme controversial without any reason.
@Naeem Khan: I read all the statements of EUEF on print and electronic media, they never claimed any affiliation with European Union. I think there name makes a confusion to the EU delegation.
I wrote an email to EUEF at info@educationfoundation.eu seeking the name of their affiliated universities and colleges and what they replied is that the student will not have any option to choose the univeristy or college all they can choose are the courses they want to study and that's the reason why they don't want to disclose the name of their partners, However personally know that City University, and City University of Seatle, Athens is one of the affiliated university of EUEF.
I think we should refrain from giving any negative remarks and let see what they will do and how many students they will sent on scholarship.
Prof. Azeem Ahmed Siddqiui
If it is not fraudulent then Mr. Bukhari should divulge the names of the colleges and universities affiliated with his organization and who are the board of directors. It is a scheme to fleece Pakistani students and their parents, these people should be prosecuted for defrauding the Pakistani citizens.