24/10/2024
Ms. Sonjai Reynolds-Cooper, the incoming Education Office Director of USAID Pakistan, called on Chairman HEC Dr Mukhtar Ahmed at HEC Secretariat. Advisor Scholarships HEC, Mr. Raza Chohan and USAID officials were also present.
The Chairman welcomed the Director USAID in Pakistan and commended support of the US Government in various sectors, especially the higher education sector.
“The cooperation of Pakistan and the US Governments in education sector has a legacy of 75 years. We are witnessing an unparalleled change in the human history and investment in technology and higher education is the key to development. Keeping this is view, HEC programmes are aimed to provide opportunities to the youth so that they can contribute in the national development. Our partnership with USAID is also aligned with HEC’s vision and is focused to creating opportunities for talented students and faculty in Pakistan”.
After meeting with the Chairman HEC, Mr. Raza Chohan gave a comprehensive presentation on role and functions of HEC, its contributions in higher education sector during the last two decades, present initiatives of Scholarship Division, collaborations with international partners, policy intervention in quality, academics, research and development activities and future priority areas of HEC.
The Advisor Scholarships also briefed the delegates about the activities of USAID funded Merit and Needs based Scholarship Program, which has supported more than 6000 scholarships for meritorious but financially disadvantaged students especially female students from rural and less served districts to study in engineering, business social sciences, agriculture and medicine degree programs in top Pakistani universities. Mr. Raza Chohan appreciated USAID’s investment in the education sector of Pakistan and support extended to the universities.