ISLAMABAD, SEPT 27 (DNA) – Dr. Arshad Ali, Executive Director HEC and senior management of the Commission welcomed on Tuesday 150 students from universities of Baluchistan.

Dr. Arshad gave students an overview of HEC initiatives for development of higher education in the province, including different scholarship and R&D opportunities available for faculty members, researchers and particularly students.

The Executive Director informed the students that HEC has been planning to gradually increase access and bring education to the doorstep, particularly far-flung and less developed areas of the country.

“We believe that significance of youth in any society could not be undermined therefore every possible step is being taken to facilitate our youth,” he said.

He appreciated the Vice Chancellors of Balochistan’s universities for taking keen interest and adopting a proactive approach for development of their institutions.

Mr. Wasim Hashmi Syed, Adviser (HRD) HEC gave details of Balochistan specific scholarship programmes for students, including Fee Reimbursement Scheme, Aghaz e Huqooq e Balochistan Package, Scholarship Scheme for Balochistan/FATA.

He also elaborated the open merit scholarship programmes under indigenous and overseas schemes. He also shared the proposal of introducing a foundation course for students from Balochistan to help them prepare for overseas scholarships.

Dr. Muhammad Latif, Adviser (R&D) HEC elaborated different programmes of HEC for promoting research and development activities in the university.

He said that in addition to knowledge transfer, universities are also supposed to create and exchange knowledge. He described National Research Programme for Universities, travel grants, startup research grant, access to scientific collaboration, joint research collaboration, etc.=DNA

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