CM approves scholarship scheme

Urges facilitation of private sector in higher education

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has called for facilitating the private sector for the promotion of higher education.

“Private sector’s participation will provide opportunities for higher education to the youth of remote areas,” she said while presiding over a meeting.

The chief minister approved the Punjab Honahar Merit Scholarship Programme and directed the authorities concerned to increase the number of merit scholarships from 4,000 to 25,000.

She said 100% fees of the students doing BS from government and eight selected private universities will be paid from the scholarship.

The chief minister ordered immediate establishment of new universities in Jhelum, Vehari and Bahawalnagar.

She reviewed recommendations for the establishment of universities under public-private partnership and agreed to facilitate the private sector in this regard.

She also issued directives to immediately launch the laptop scheme for students.

The chief minister decided to introduce new market-driven disciplines in colleges with less students.

She also stressed the introduction of a foolproof system for the appointment of divisional directors and principals on merit through an online portal system.

A plan for providing new buses to government colleges was also presented to the chief minister.