The United States is proud to have invested in higher education in Pakistan over the last five decades.  A well educated population is the foundation of a strong economy and a strong and growing Pakistan. This was stated by Larry Sampler, Assistant Administrator, USAID’s Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan (OAPA), at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) on December 4, 2013,in an interactive session with the USAID funded Merit and Needs Based Scholarship Program Beneficiaries to celebrate their academic achievement and discuss their progress. He further said that we will continue to work very closely with the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan to implement this very successful scholarship program for deserving students."

Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Higher Education Commission (HEC) Executive Director, Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Gregory Gottlieb, Mission Director, USAID Pakistan and Prof. Dr. Masoom Yousafzai, Quaid-i-Azam University Vice Chancellor, were also present on the occasion.

Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, HEC Executive Director, expressed his appreciation for U.S. support for the education sector in Pakistan.  He noted that fifty percent of the scholarships are designated for women in the upcoming expansion of the project. He informed the audience that USAID has running successful scholarship program since 2004 and also helping Pakistan in the priority areas of agriculture, energy and water.

Earlier, Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, PMAS-AAUR, in his welcomed address said that the USAID Merit & Need Based Scholarship Program is an excellent opportunity and a hope for the talented & deserving students. These scholarships are great contribution by the USAID for uplifting education standards, he added. He further said that this is an excellent opportunity for the students to complete their degree and to resolve their financial problems. At the end, Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, PMAS-AAUR presented souvenirs and shields to the chief guest.

It may be recalled that the scholarships are part of a long-term commitment by the United States to promote and facilitate academic achievement in Pakistan.  The program, which grants scholarships to business and agriculture students, is a part of USAID's Merit and Needs-Based Scholarship Program. Students are selected for scholarships based on financial need and university acceptance.