HEC Offers Undergrad Scholarships For GB Students

News Desk

Islamabad: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced undergraduate scholarships for the students of Gilgit-Baltistan to study at top Pakistani universities for the academic year 2023-24 in all areas of disciplines.

Under the project titled ‘Undergraduate Scholarship Program for the Students of Gilgit-Baltistan in Top Pakistani Universities and Institutions (Batch-III)’, applications are invited from outstanding students of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) who intend to pursue undergraduate studies (four or five-year BS programs) from HEC-recognised public sector universities and degree-awarding institutions (DAIs).

The award of scholarships will be made irrespective of gender, caste, race and religion.

GB is the terminal of CPEC and has considerable geographic significance. This program’s primary goal is to offer financial support to GB students, according to the sources.

The program is also in line with Pakistan’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which include eradicating extreme poverty and mobilising resources. Therefore, the government has instructed HEC to increase higher education scholarships for the least developed areas and lessen inequality across the nation in order to meet these goals.

The general eligibility criteria for all these scholarships are as follows: The applicants must have a domicile or local certificate of GB; the applicants must have completed a Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) or equivalent; and the applicants who are already availing of any other HEC or government scholarship are not eligible to apply.

Students already enrolled in any BS program in public sector universities or institutions prior to the advertisement (maximum one academic year or session) may also apply.

However, as per selection criteria, the HEC Scholarship Aptitude Test shall be arranged by HEC/ETC. Applicants must secure at least 50 per cent marks in the test. The test result will be valid for one year.

The selected applicants shall secure admissions by themselves to the defined program of study in Pakistan.

The scholar shall sign an agreement or undertaking before availing of the scholarship. The terms and conditions laid down in the agreement, undertaking and award letter shall be binding for both parties.

Final award letters shall be issued after securing admission and the completion of all required formalities, including the legal documents.

The students are required to apply through the following HEC Online Application System: https://eportal.hec.gov.pk/? until September 30, 2023.