In a landmark ceremony held at the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Convention Centre, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sindh Professor Dr. Khalil-ur-Rehman Khoumbati distributed ‘Need-Cum-Merit Scholarship’ cheques among 850 deserving students. Each student was awarded Rs. 42,000, making a total disbursement of Rs. 34,806,000 (34.806 millions).

The ceremony was graced by Member of the Provincial Assembly Dr. Sikandar Ali Shoro as the Chief Guest and District Zakat Chairman Jamshoro Pir Muhammad Hassan as the Guest of Honor.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalil-ur-Rehman Khoumbhati lauded the Government of Sindh’s initiative in supporting the students through financial aid.

He appealed to the provincial government to further enhance the grant to meet the increasing demands of higher education.

He said the number of students from underprivileged families was rising every year and many faced financial challenges that hindered their academic progress.

The VC emphasized that additional support would allow more talented students to complete their degrees on time and contribute positively to society.

He noted that investment in education was the most effective way to uplift communities and ensure long-term development.

Dr. Khoumbati reiterated that the University of Sindh was committed to promoting academic excellence and social equity through such initiatives.

MPA Dr. Sikandar Ali Shoro, in his speech, reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to supporting university students across Sindh.

He said education was the top priority of the Sindh government and assured that efforts would continue to increase the financial assistance available for needy and meritorious students.

He highlighted that scholarships not only benefited students but also strengthened the province’s intellectual capital.

Dr. Shoro emphasized that the government was determined to remove economic barriers to higher education, ensuring that no deserving student was deprived of learning opportunities.

He further noted that the Sindh government had been consistently allocating funds for education despite financial constraints.

He pledged that he would personally advocate for further budgetary increases for higher education institutions.

He also congratulated the students and urged them to utilize the opportunity to excel academically and serve the nation.

District Zakat Chairman Jamshoro Pir Muhammad Hassan praised the Government of Sindh for its dedication to promoting higher education and providing financial assistance to the needy.

He said scholarships were a vital tool for empowering the youth and preparing them for future leadership roles.

He added that the distribution of Rs. 34.806 million among 850 students demonstrated the government’s seriousness toward investing in education.

Pir Muhammad Hassan also assured continued cooperation of the Zakat Department in supporting students’ welfare and educational advancement.

He stressed that collective efforts by universities, government and community stakeholders were essential to uplift the socio-economic conditions of the province.

SU Registrar Professor Dr. Mushtaque Ali Jariko addressing the gathering said the scholarships had become a lifeline for hundreds of students struggling to afford higher education.

He remarked that many recipients were the first in their families to attend university and financial aid was enabling them to break the cycle of poverty.

He further said the university administration was making all-out efforts to expand scholarship opportunities through collaborations with government and private institutions.

Dr. Jariko added that timely release of funds had ensured that students remained focused on their studies without financial stress.