KARACHI: A total of 53 deserving and research-oriented students of the University of Karachi (KU) received scholarship cheques amounting to Rs12.19 million under the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC) Indigenous Scholarship Programme 2025–26. The award ceremony took place at the university, with 31 female and 22 male students benefiting from this financial support to pursue higher education and research.
Breakdown of Recipients by Degree and Gender
The awardees included 38 MPhil scholars (14 male and 24 female) and 15 PhD researchers (eight male and seven female). This distribution highlights the programme's focus on advanced degrees and gender inclusivity, with female students comprising over 58 percent of the total recipients.
Faculty-Wise Distribution of Scholarships
The scholarships were distributed across six faculties. The Faculty of Science received the largest share with 24 students (10 male, 14 female), followed by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences with 11 students (seven male, four female). The Faculty of Islamic Studies had eight recipients (six male, two female), while the Faculty of Pharmacy awarded five female students. The Faculty of Management and Administrative Sciences saw three students (two female, one male), and the Faculty of Education had two female recipients.
SHEC Official Emphasizes Merit and Transparency
Speaking at the ceremony, SHEC Additional Director Maimoona Shah stated that each year, eligible and deserving students are selected based on set criteria. The selection process considers academic performance, research activities, educational standing, and financial need. She mentioned that these scholarships represent a significant initiative to promote higher education, encourage research activities, and support talented students facing financial challenges. Shah emphasized that fairness and transparency are ensured through the institutional scholarship committee, where merit is the foremost priority.
She added that the programme’s objectives include providing financial assistance to talented students, encouraging research and higher education across the province, supporting students in attaining advanced degrees, and enhancing academic standards alongside professional development. Maimoona Shah concluded by noting that no great nation or developed society emerges by chance; sustained and thoughtful investment in education forms the foundation. She reaffirmed SHEC’s commitment to empowering youth by creating more opportunities in education and research.
KU Vice Chancellor Urges Students to Utilize Opportunity
KU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi remarked that education is the only path to progress, prosperity, and national stability. He urged students to treat these scholarships as a valuable opportunity and utilise them fully for their academic and professional growth. He expressed gratitude to the Government of Sindh and SHEC, noting that these scholarships are proving to be vital support for deserving students in pursuing higher education.
Dr Iraqi stressed that promoting quality higher education requires a strong foundational academic structure, effective governance, and responsible conduct. He highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of hard work and fulfilling responsibilities with integrity to put Pakistan on the path of development. He advised students to always acknowledge the role of their parents and SHEC in their success and expressed hope that more students would benefit from scholarships in the future, enabling greater access to higher education.
Female Participation Encouraging
KU VC Prof Dr Khalid Iraqi noted that the significant number of female scholarship recipients is encouraging, as it demonstrates that young women are achieving remarkable success in education, research, and other fields. He urged students to apply their education and skills for the betterment of society and the country.
