A high-level delegation of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad, led by its Director General Human Resource Development (HRD) Dr Ayesha Ikram held a meeting with Sindh University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Fateh Muhammad Marri (TI) to review the implementation of the Benazir Undergraduate Scholarship Programme and other HEC scholarship initiatives.

The meeting held at the Vice-Chancellor’s office discussed the implementation, outreach, transparency and future expansion of scholarship programmes aimed at providing financial assistance to academically talented and financially deserving students.

Dr Ayesha Ikram accompanied by HEC Programme Coordinator Dara Shikoh held detailed discussions with the VC on strengthening institutional mechanisms for facilitating students seeking financial assistance.

Vice-Chancellor Dr Marri highlighted the University of Sindh’s large student population and its significant role in providing access to higher education to students from remote, deprived and economically disadvantaged areas of Sindh.

He said a considerable number of students enrolled at the university belonged to financially vulnerable families and depended on scholarships and other forms of financial assistance to pursue their education.

He appreciated HEC’s role in promoting equitable access to higher education and called for increased scholarship allocations for Sindh University catering to students from disadvantaged communities.

Assistant Director of the SU's Students' Financial Aid Office (SFAO) Qamaruddin Nangraj gave a detailed presentation on the university’s scholarship management mechanism. He briefed the delegation about the complete process, including advertisement of scholarships, receipt and scrutiny of applications, verification of credentials, interviews, selection of candidates, disbursement of financial assistance and maintenance of records.

The HEC delegation appreciated the university administration and the SFAO for facilitating deserving students and maintaining transparency in the processing of scholarship cases.

The participants also discussed ways to improve coordination between HEC and the SU, strengthen institutional arrangements and expand financial support through existing and future scholarship schemes.

Registrar Sajid Qayoom Memon, Director Finance Zeeshan Memon and In charge SFAO Mian Ahmed Alim Pasha were present on the occasion.

Later, Dr Ayesha Ikram along with VC Dr Fateh Marri and Registrar Sajid Qayoom reached the Institute of Sindhology to visit the museum, where Director Sindhology Dr Fayyaz Latif received the guests.

The HEC official visited various sections and galleries of the Sindhology Museum and took keen interest in its collection of historical artefacts, handicrafts, cultural objects and personal belongings of prominent personalities displayed in different corners.

Dr Ikram appreciated the museum’s display and preservation of the historical and cultural heritage of Sindh and said the carefully arranged exhibits offered visitors a comprehensive introduction to the province’s rich history and culture.

She described Sindhology as an important academic, literary, historical, research and cultural institution of the University of Sindh and said institutions preserving such heritage were valuable national assets that required collective efforts for their development and promotion.

Dr Marri formally welcomed Dr Ikram to the University of Sindh and said the university, one of the country’s oldest institutions of higher learning, had produced and hosted many renowned scholars and personalities.

He said the Institute of Sindhology was one of the university’s important academic, literary and cultural institutions and enjoyed recognition both nationally and internationally.

He said the Sindhology Museum and Research Library housed a valuable collection of historical, archaeological, literary and cultural material, some of which was not available at any other institution in the country.

He said the university administration was making multifaceted efforts to develop and promote the institute and acknowledged the commitment and hard work of its director and staff.

On the occasion, Dr Ayesha Ikram was presented with traditional Sindhi gifts, including ajraks and a lungi, along with books published by the Institute of Sindhology.

HEC official Dara Shikoh, VC, University of Sufism and Modern Sciences Prof Dr Imamuddin Khoso, Professor at Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam Dr Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar and Sindhology officials Wahid Paras Haisbani, Salma Sheikh, and others were also present on the occasion.