75 Pakistanis to go to London to pursue PhD

HEC, Queen Mary University sign MoU to train researchers

ISLAMABAD:

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan is striving hard to provide competent and quality staff to institutions falling under its domain.

To this end, the HEC and the Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) have signed a memorandum of agreement for 75 HEC scholars to pursue PhD degrees at the QMUL in the next five years.

A virtual signing ceremony to this effect was organised by the British Council Pakistan in which HEC Executive Director Dr. Shaista Sohail and QMUL VicePrincipal, QMUL International Education Prof Colin Grant signed the agreement.

The HEC and the QMUL have been co-funding PhD scholars since 2016, as the two sides signed the first memorandum of agreement in September 2016 to nurture a collaborative partnership to provide high-quality research training to Pakistani PhD students at QMUL.

Under the first agreement, 35 scholars have proceeded for pursuing doctoral degrees in various fields. About half of these scholars opted for fields of Engineering and Technology which is a much-needed field in Pakistan.

Another group of scholars is pursuing higher education in the field of biological sciences which will help improve the research culture in the field of biological sciences in Pakistan.

Similarly, a good number of HEC scholars are studying in diverse fields of social science who are expected to contribute towards the improvement of the social constructs of our society.

As part of the new agreement, the new MoU stipulates that 75 more scholars will be selected in different fields of studies to pursue their PhDs from QUML.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Shaista appreciated the QMUL's cooperation and support to Pakistani scholars. She hoped that the bilateral cooperation will pave the way for achieving a larger national goal of human development.

"There is no medium better than education to improve perceptions about each other." adding that Pakistani scholars are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to study at QMUL, as such opportunities enhanced educational as well as cultural experiences.

She appreciated the role of the QMUL administration in offering a generous tuition waiver to HEC selected scholars through this agreement. She also recognised the efforts of the QMUL team led by Prof Grant and the British Council for their contribution towards the collaboration between HEC and QMUL.

She also congratulated the HEC team led by Dr. Hassan Jalil Shah, Advisor Human Resource Development, HEC, Ayesha Ikram, Director General, Human Resource Development, HEC, and Dr. Arshad Bashir, Project Director, Overseas Scholarships, HEC, for the success of the project.