COLOMBO : Pakistan High Commission, Colombo in collaboration with Higher Education Commission, Pakistan held Allama Iqbal Scholarship Award distribution ceremony on Wednesday, 30 October.
The scholarship is named after Allama Muhammad Iqbal, one of the greatest philosophers and visionary also known as “Poet of the East”. Allama Iqbal inspired countless individuals through his profound thoughts and unwavering commitment to education.
The Allama Iqbal scholarship program for the deserving Sri Lankan students was started in 2019. This year, for the 6th Batch of the programme 200 fully funded scholarships have been awarded to the students. At present, around 500 students are already pursuing their academic degrees at graduate, postgraduate and PhD level. The next intake will start in February 2025.
High Commissioner of Pakistan, Maj. Gen. (R) Faheem Ul Aziz, HI (M), in his remarks stated that awarding these scholarships to Sri Lankan students is yet another testament to the excellent brotherly relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He urged the students to embrace this opportunity with determination and resilience. He further added: “As you pursue your studies, remember that you are ambassadors of your country and your culture. Engage with your peers, share your experiences, and be a bridge between our nations. The knowledge and understanding you gain will be invaluable as we work together to address the challenges we face in our ever-changing world.”
General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil, Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) was the Chief Guest of the event which was attended by prominent personalities from various walks of life including businessmen, academicians, and government officials. The Chief Guest, the High Commissioner and other notable dignitaries distributed the scholarship awards among the students. Additional Secretary to ministry of foreign affairs,Sithara Khan was also present at the event.