Punjab CM promises scholarships on merit

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced that scholarships will be awarded to students for higher education purely on the basis of merit.

Honhaar Scholarship information desks have been established in universities and 30,000 students of 68 subjects will be awarded scholarships every year under the Rs130 billion scheme.

Students of 50 public sector universities across Punjab will be able to obtain the scholarships. Under the undergraduate degree programme, the scholarships will be provided for four to five years.

According to officials, 30 per cent weightage of matric and 70% of intermediate examination marks will be used to determine the merit. Full tuition fees of the selected students will be paid.

Citizens of Punjab below 22 years of age and having limited income will be eligible for the scholarship. MBBS and BDS students will also be able to apply. Applications for the scholarships can be submitted on Friday.

The objective of the programme is to provide opportunities for higher education to students obtaining high grades but having limited resources. Meanwhile, CM stated in her message on World Poverty Eradication Day that poverty is not just an economic problem, but a result of lack of education, health and justice.