Govt offers scholarships for arts, culture

At least 400 students of film, theatre, fine arts, and textile design will get financial support

ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday offered Rs76 million worth of scholarships for as many as 400 students from 15 public and private universities of the country to promote arts and culture in the country.

“It is a unique initiative of the ministry through NEST to promote studies in fields such as film, theatre, visual arts, ceramics, textile designs and other such fine arts subjects,” explained Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood on Thursday as he inaugurated the programme at the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS).

Mahmood said that under the National Endowment Scholarship for Talent (NEST) programme, 400 scholarships will be awarded in the current financial year with a total allocation of Rs76 million.

"We have included 15 top Higher Education Commission (HEC) recognised and degree awarding institutions of Pakistan both from public and private sectors," he said.

Lamenting that fine arts and its studies have long been neglected in the education sector, the minister added that the main objective of this programme was to provide need-based scholarships and support to talented students. Since supporting underprivileged students was a priority of the government and the promotion of arts and culture necessary to preserve the heritage and bring about a positive social change, Mahmood said that the programme "is in line with the government’s policy for providing vertical mobility to the most vulnerable segments of society and to eradicate poverty."

Studying arts and culture are important for preserving heritage, he said, adding that art influences society by changing opinions, instilling values and translating experiences across space and time.

To facilitate awardees, Mahmood said that the education ministry has fast-tracked the programme by securing all necessary approvals within six months. He added that the cohort of 400 students was just the start and that the programme will be further expanded in the future to promote the rich cultural heritage of the country. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17^th, 2020.