We will work to support some four million children in school in Pakistan by 2015, says George Turkington. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE:
The top 400 students from disadvantaged households in the country would be provided quality higher education, under an agreement signed between the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and the United Kingdom government, here on Thursday.
The Empowerment through Education Initiative would help alleviate poverty through quality education, allowing students to land better jobs.
George Turkington, the head of the Department for International Development, UK, said, “Entrenched poverty is denying opportunities to millions of people and undermining Pakistan’s long term stability and prosperity.”
He said, “The UK believes education is the key to transforming Pakistan’s future…we will work to support some four million children in school in Pakistan by 2015. We look forward to working closely with LUMS over the coming years.”
Dr Adil Najam, the LUMS vice chancellor, said that he believed the initiative had the potential to transform for Pakistan as a whole.
“This is a truly strategic investment because it will directly impact the lives of the best and the brightest of Pakistan, not only in terms of the students who are supported, but also all the others around them,” he said.
The five-year programme will be managed by LUMS and would support students who would otherwise be unable to afford quality higher education, for undergraduate and graduate degrees.
It will target impoverished regions of the country and will have a special focus on girls.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2013.
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WOW. That is huge. I thought Adil Najam was leaving LUMS. Now this is called leaving with a bang. Well done, Sir. We are proud of you and of LUMS.