Naveed 
Last year flood in Pakistan was 10th most massive natural disaster to disturb ant nation from the last decade. A lot of people becoma homeless without basic necessities of life. An estimated loss of $3 billion is recorded with death rate of 1700.
A lot of nations offered aid for Pakistani flood affected people, United States in an event announced 500 scholarships for students in affected districts to help them in completing their education.
Read more | Our education system needs a complete overhaul, says HEC chairman
US ambassador Donald Blome announced that this scholarship is granted in “celebrating the achievements of females’ scholars in honour of International Women’s Day”. The scholarship is announced at an event held in Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Chairman of HEC Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, HEC Executive Director Dr Shaista Sohail, Mission Director of USAID, students from different universities, vice chancellors and alumni participated in the event held in HEC regarding Women day.
The press release issued after the event reads that US with the assistant of USAID always tried to help financially disadvantaged students to peruse their higher education at leading Pakistani universities. Need based scholarships and merit scholarships of HEC also helped 6000 students in their higher education.
60% Quota for Women
US government’s support programme for women also includes 60% of scholarship quota for women. The Ambassador Donald Blome added that Women Day not only serves as day to celebrate social, economic, cultural and political achievements of Women but it is also marked to get rid of gender stereotyping.
HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmad also remarked US role in supporting Pakistan in various sector especially education field. The Humanitarian aid provided by US and other nations in time of floods is commendable. He further said that we welcome the initiative of scholarships for deserving students.
Read more | Taliban allow women education but classes must be segregated
A scholarship Alumni Jennifer Andleeb also shared her views on how her scholarship changed her life when she was facing difficulty in attaining higher education. She added that positive changes in society can only be witnessed by good investment in education sector.
