Ameliorating energy crisis: USAID funds 50 master’s scholarships

Grants for programme at US-Pak Center for Advanced Studies in Energy

PESHAWAR: USAID is funding scholarships for 50 students selected from economically disadvantaged families in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas to attend master’s programmes at the US-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E). The centre is part of University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar. This was stated in a handout issued on Monday.

According to the document, UET Peshawar Vice Chancellor Imtiaz H Gilani said, “This support from USAID will enhance students’ capabilities and prepare them to lead the energy sector.” He added the curriculum designed for this programme was based on international standards and focused on local needs and energy challenges.

The handout quoted USPCAS-E Director Dr Najeebullah as saying, “The scholarships funded by USAID include university admission fee of Rs40,000 as well as a monthly stipend of Rs20,000 during the course of the programme.” It also mentioned half of the scholarships were allocated for women. USPCAS-E plans to award up to 250 scholarships to talented students between 2015 and 2019.

The avenue

USPCAS-E is part of a USAID-funded initiative that brings together UET Peshawar, National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and Arizona State University in the United States to find sustainable and practical solutions to Pakistan’s energy-related challenges. USPCAS-E is helping to resolve Pakistan’s energy crises through applied research and developing specialised human resources.

USAID, after partnering with three US universities, is funding centres in four Pakistani universities to support the country’s economic development by encouraging applied research in energy, water, agriculture and food security.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th,  2015.