The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has awarded 98 undergraduate scholarships to students from Balochistan’s coastal regions, aiming to expand access to higher education while preparing local youth for emerging opportunities linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Gwadar Pro reported on Friday.

The HEC said that, in addition to the 98 awardees, the selection process for more students from the coastal region is underway.

The HEC is executing the Coastal Region Higher Education Scholarships for Undergraduate Programmes for Balochistan.

The programme, launched in 2022-23 under the Government of Pakistan’s Southern Balochistan Development Package, expands access to quality undergraduate education for students holding domicile/local certificate of the Gwadar, Lasbela, Kech (Turbet) or Awaran districts of Balochistan.

The core objective of the scholarship programme is to provide higher education opportunities to the students of the region by sponsoring 200 students for BS studies in the HEC-recognised universities of Pakistan.

As per HEC, so far, 98 scholarships have been awarded across three batches. Over 800 applicants have now applied against HEC’s call for applications in batch-IV of the programme, which reflects the high interest of youth from the region.

The programme that covers all academic disciplines has increased access to higher education for students from coastal regions of Balochistan, particularly benefiting underprivileged and female students.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China