Islamabad: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) organized a reception at its Secretariat in Islamabad for students from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka who are studying in Pakistan through the Allama Iqbal Scholarship Programme. The event was attended by senior diplomats and officials, underscoring the significance of educational ties in strengthening bilateral relationships.

According to Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, the reception was attended by Chairman HEC Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, who served as the chief guest, along with the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Pakistan, Rear Admiral Fred Senavirathne (Rtd), and the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan, Md. Iqbal Hussain Khan. The event also saw participation from senior officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as Vice Chancellors and Rectors from various host institutions.

Dr. Akhtar welcomed the students and diplomats, expressing gratitude to Pakistani universities for their role in supporting these scholars. He highlighted Pakistan’s educational institutions, such as FAST, COMSATS, and NUST, as providing a nurturing environment for international students. He noted that such initiatives are crucial for enhancing bilateral ties, particularly with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, through educational collaboration.

The Sri Lankan High Commissioner emphasized the strong bilateral relations across various sectors, including education, and highlighted the success of the scholarship program in fostering people-to-people connections. He encouraged students to leverage this opportunity for knowledge acquisition and professional networking.

Similarly, the Bangladeshi High Commissioner spoke about the shared cultural and academic values between Bangladesh and Pakistan, stressing the importance of the scholarship program in deepening educational ties and mutual trust. He praised the program for facilitating the exchange of ideas and contributing to regional socio-economic development.

Director General (HRD) HEC Mrs. Aayesha Ikram provided an overview of the program, affirming HEC’s commitment to supporting students throughout their academic journey in Pakistan. She emphasized the role of these students as ambassadors of goodwill.