RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Members of Scottish Parliament Tasnima Ahmed Sheikh and Hannah Bardel, with British Council Country Director in Pakistan Peter Upton, visited the Punjab University on Thursday to hold an interactive session with Scottish scholarship recipients.

Those also present at the Committee Room of the Undergraduate Study Centre University were Vice Chancellor Dr Mujahid Kamran, Planning and Development Director Tariq Majeed Qureshi, Acting Treasurer Rao Muhammad Sharif and students from various universities who have received scholarships under the Pakistan Scottish Scholarship Scheme for Women in Higher Education.

In a speech, Dr Kamran said the number of girls was continuously increasing in higher education in Pakistan and it would make a big difference if we provide financial assistance to them. He said that financial assistance to female students would help them pursue their higher education and would reduce their problems.

MP Sheikh said that women in Pakistan were facing issues to pursue their higher studies and the Scottish government was providing scholarships to female students for resolving their financial problems. Girls from various universities said it was impossible for them to obtain higher education because financial resources were required to complete their studies and work on various research projects. They said they would now be able to get better job opportunities after completing their studies.

A documentary on the scholarship program was also screened and it was briefed that 215 scholarships had been provided to the girls in all various parts of the country and 100 more would be provided next year.