The Allama
Mohammad Iqbal Scholarship program has been a lifeline for Afghan students,
offering them the chance to pursue higher education in Pakistan. With 4,500
fully-funded scholarships available in its third phase, this initiative
demonstrates Pakistan's commitment to expanding educational possibilities for
Afghan students, despite the fact that it was interrupted by the critical
situation in previous years.
The mission began in 2009, when Pakistan took the initiative to grant scholarships to Afghan students, a watershed moment in bilateral relations. The initiative has evolved and expanded over the last decade, proving Pakistan's persistent commitment to the cause.
As an alumni of the Allama Mohammad Iqbal Scholarship program, I can testify to its life-changing impact on Afghan students' educational careers, including myself. During my academic journey from 2014 to 2017, I faced many challenges due to insecurity, the behaviour of the local police regarding Afghan students, and the mismanagement in the delivery of monetary assistance to the students.
However, I also witnessed the program's transformation and its positive influence on the lives of hundreds of students like me. My personal experience stands as a testament to the possibilities and opportunities this scholarship opens despite the fact that this process had many drawbacks. Let's delve into the remarkable differences between the earlier phases of the scholarship program and the current one:
Nature of Scholarships and Addressing Misconceptions: In the past, there were misconceptions and rumors, some suggesting that Pakistan had ulterior motives in offering these scholarships. Some even claimed Pakistan was not a suitable destination for study. However, these notions are baseless. Pakistan has many good universities with updated curricula and English as the primary language of instruction.
Security and Services: Today, scholarship recipients benefit from improved services. They receive assistance with travel expenses and preparation classes to help them adjust to the cultural and educational environment. Moreover, the security situation in Pakistan has significantly improved, ensuring a safer learning environment.
The Benefits Beyond Your Degree: Studying in Pakistan extends beyond academics. It provides the opportunity to enhance English, Urdu, or other local language skills, interact with students from neighbouring countries, and earn an international degree that opens doors to a global career. Previously, there were few top-ranking universities under the domain of this scholarship but now they have included some of the top-ranking universities which is a great improvement.
Fairness in the Selection Process: The selection process has evolved to become fairer and more transparent, with exams introduced to ensure that talented students are given the opportunity they deserve. The years we were applying for this scholarship had the worst selection process. The sets were distributed among various previous government officials, and they used to recommend their own acquaintances even if they were not eligible.
In conclusion, I strongly urge Afghan students
to seize this incredible opportunity. Do not be deterred by negative rumours or
misconceptions. Trust in the fairness of the selection process and navigate the
application process with care. The Allama Mohammad Iqbal Scholarship program is
a great opportunity given the situation you study after the current regime took
over control. This is one of the scholarship opportunities with the simplest eligibility requirements. You have a
great chance to make it happen.
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to APPLY
The deadline is November 30, 2023
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