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ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) will send 10,000 scholars to the United States for PhD studies in next 10 years.
These scholars will get admissions in agriculture and food security, medical and allied health sciences, energy, water, climate change, advanced digital technology among others.
This was stated by Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal while explaining the Pakistan-US Knowledge Corridor during a video conference session with vice chancellors from across the country on Wednesday.
The HEC chairman, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed and executive director Dr. Arshad Ali, were also present on the occasion.
The Pakistan-US Corridor was conceptualized in June 2015 as a result of US-Pakistan Education, Science and Technology working group under the bilateral strategic dialogue.
The minister said that 10,000 PhDs educated in the best US would give spectacular results. “The government is committed to increasing access to higher education and for that purpose sub-campuses and virtual campuses are being established at district level so as to enable aspiring students to gain higher education at their doorstep.”
Dr Mukhtar Ahmed gave an overview of HEC’s efforts for developing human resource and providing state-of-the-art facilities to the higher education institutions. Speaking to Dawn the HEC chairman said all vice chancellors had been directed to prepare students for admissions in top universities of the US.
“Under Pakistan-US Corridor, the students will be prepared in such a manner that they can get scholarships for US universities. In case, the students cannot receive scholarship but succeeded in getting themselves enrolled with top universities of the US, the HEC will bear their expenses,” the chairman said and added every year, at least 1,000 students will be sent to the US for pursing higher education.
Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2016
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Sep 08, 2016 09:51am
Great news. Pakistan should focus on science and technology. Well done Ahsan Iqbal.
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Sep 08, 2016 10:09am
If these candidates are committed to Pakistan and willing to come back and serve the nation then this is a good step, otherwise wastage of national financial resources. In most of cases after attaining degrees they dont like to come back and serve the country, in the other hand other countries benefitted by their achievements at the cost of Pakistanis tax money.
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Sep 08, 2016 10:11am
Thank you so much US for helping. Please, ignore our people who think bad about you. I am so proud of US for working so hard to bring peace and prosperity in the world.
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Sep 08, 2016 10:16am
Though investing in education at any stage is the right thing to do, however, I think it would be more beneficial offering higher number scholarships for undergraduate level studies.
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Sep 08, 2016 10:17am
Engineering should take precedence.
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Sep 08, 2016 10:18am
This is Awesome ,If managed well this Knowledge corridor returns could be higher then China Pak Economic Corridor.
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Sep 08, 2016 10:20am
If you want to earn money the last thing you should do is a PhD..if you want knowledge the first step is a PhD.
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Sep 08, 2016 10:23am
Trust me, 90% would refuse to return to this country. Look at the past record, how many individuals kept their end of the bargain. It will be a net loss for taxpayers until we sign a treaty with foreign countries to ensure forced return of such individuals.
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Sep 08, 2016 10:23am
sir important thing that these graduates come back and work in universities and research facilities to enhance country industry and economics but in reality many people came back spend time as mention in contract and resign the job and back to that country where they complete the Phd. this happens in Dr Atta ur rehman program who send many people but what results? still our universities for behind compare with neighbor country.
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Sep 08, 2016 10:37am
Make sure that they have mandatory return to Pakistan to serve for at least 5 years. Most of them currently don't return to Pakistan. Money spent is wasted and Why sending to US when you have cheaper alternatives in European countries!!!
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Sep 08, 2016 10:40am
A pure PR attempt by HEC!
Why not improve standards & infrastructures at Universities in Pakistan so that students can pursue doctoral degrees!
18th amendment has destroyed higher education in Pakistan!
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Sep 08, 2016 10:40am
@Farman You are right, basically the country they go to benefit from the PhDs,
They must sign an oath to return and if they don't they should be responsible for the money spent and should keep their homes and properties in Pakistan as collaterals, I personally know so many who did not return,
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Sep 08, 2016 10:41am
They will go to US but will not come back
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Sep 08, 2016 10:43am
Well, humanities and social sciences are equally important. Shouldn't ignore em.
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Sep 08, 2016 10:47am
Good news but why only US?
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Sep 08, 2016 10:50am
Why deep plan for 10 years when even a simple yearly budgets never materialize due to every day changes in policies and greedy influences?
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Sep 08, 2016 10:51am
I think most of the people will not come back to Pakistan after doing phD in USA.
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Sep 08, 2016 10:55am
Half of them will never come back to Pakistan.
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Sep 08, 2016 10:55am
All the Doctorates I know have never returned back to Pakistan after completing their studies some came back and went back to other countries after serving few years in Pakistan, they want top pay which Pakistan cant afford to give them. Pakistan should develop its own higher education Institutions specially in non physical sciences which don't require expensive labs and state of the art equipment . By doing this Pakistan will save lot of money in foreign exchange and the graduates will stay in Pakistan and serve Pakistan.
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Sep 08, 2016 10:57am
Not likely to succeed - as most of these scholars a) will not finish PhD and get a job in US b) will never come back to pakistan - the way it is now.
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Sep 08, 2016 11:01am
Education sector was flourishing in the days of Musharraf. Nothing is more important then educating minds.
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Sep 08, 2016 11:06am
It is a big step in the right direction. The planning should be made while awarding the scholarships. Universities and research organizations in Pakistan should be asked in what fields they need experts. The institutions in the US should be selected and candidates should be asked to get admission there. A choice of two or three institutions should be there.
If properly planned, these 10,000 experts can revolutionize education and research in Pakistan.
In the US, it takes at least four years to do Ph.D. The scholarship must be given for four years. There must be a provision for 15 percent of the scholars to extend their period for another year. If this provision is not available, the scholar goes for jobs and assistant-ships and then absorbed in the US economy.
There should be a job available to the people who get a degree and come back. The model of COTS may be adopted for this.
The existing trend i.e. get the scholarship, go any where and do what do you want to do and come back after a few years with a degree should not be adopted in any case.
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Sep 08, 2016 11:09am
It is a great venture initiated between Pakistan and the United States. But the only it can bring any fruits to the nation is if those who get grants for such study are bound to come back and serve the country. Their must be some bonding clause to this effect or else Pakistan is not only wasting the money it will also lose this wealth of talent. In the end, let me not forget to thank Amerca for this great program that can bring such good to Pakistan.
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Sep 08, 2016 11:18am
The HEC must also consider supporting Pakistani students applying to the very top Universities in Canada such as the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia and McGill University. I have been a professor in Canada for over two decades but we rarely get applications from Pakistani students for graduate studies in STEM subjects. We would welcome applications from bright Pakistani students who are interested in graduate studies.
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Sep 08, 2016 11:19am
@Dr. Shahzeb Khan no offence sir but what defination of peace and prosperity do you have? Do you even know what US policies have done in Iraq, libya, Syria and Afghanistan? Or perhaps you do not consider them part of world.
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Sep 08, 2016 11:23am
I do not agree with most of the negative comments. Students do come after acquiring PhD degree. The only criteria is to select the competent and qualified candidates with transparent manner. I was the incharge of foreign scholarship at Dow University of Health Sciences and most of the students came back and serving the university. I also have the PhD degree from USA and working over here.
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Sep 08, 2016 11:23am
Well done Ahsan iqbal well done PML N. Surely now Pakistan is on right track now from developments to focus over education. We are lucky that Pakistan is again being pulled out towards glory and towards progress.
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Sep 08, 2016 11:30am
Finally some good move which will help pakistan. Only issue is will they come back on their own?
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Sep 08, 2016 11:31am
Those who are criticizing about the Ph Ds not returning to Pakistan forget that about 1/3rd of the Pakistan's Foreign Exchange comes from expatriates working abroad. An educated Pakistani earning good money is better than 20 or 50 labourers. Besides Economics, just imagine how will these 10,000 people change the image of Pakistan around the globe by showing that how intelligent and hard working Pakistanis are. Please sincerely appreciate one's positive efforts rather than 'her cheez main say keeray nikalain''' please change yourself to positivity
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Sep 08, 2016 11:32am
The announcement of scholarships and their realisarion on the ground will suffer the regional geopolitical obstacles.
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Sep 08, 2016 11:47am
His Highness's poor hard working family members and close relatives will greatly benefit from this opportunity. After all, the rich country needs no scholarships or scholars since merit is held in high esteem. Been to Lahore, know exactly how candidates are graded, appointed and awarded... and I mean they REALLY work hard behind the screen and absolutely are repulsed by the thought of corruption/ nepotism.
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Sep 08, 2016 11:51am
@Indian Prof Highly admirable of you sir. Wish there were more people like you. Unfortunately, hopefuls for a Canadian education cant make it beyond the thought of expenses.
Pakistan is run by an elite that gets to decide who leaves and who rots.
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Sep 08, 2016 11:53am
@Benjamin Franklin kindly check your statics that maximum foreign remittance send by middle east not from USA or UK. how many Phds working in middle east?
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Sep 08, 2016 11:52am
@Dr Siqqidui Absolutely. The ones who have completes their bonds/ sentences for previous HEC scholarships are leaving. They cant stop the old ones let alone lie about opportunity for the new innocent masses. Tricks to trickle in the vote bank...nothing else.
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Sep 08, 2016 11:59am
@Benjamin Franklin most of the remittance comes from labourers who are supporting family in Pakistan. Even managers in Gulf will invest in property in Pakistan because they don't get citizenship and eventually have to return.
Very few managers or professors in US send back remittances because their family accompanies them and they settle there permanently.
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Sep 08, 2016 12:01pm
10,000 more PhD's? and people here asking them to come back after completing degrees? Where would we utilize them after their return? There is no research, no product development, nothing of the sort. Getting a PhD has already become a fashion here while market is already saturated. Its better if after completing their degrees, they are settled there. At least they would send some much needed remittance.
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Sep 08, 2016 12:17pm
No IT scholarships mention in this list. Why?
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Sep 08, 2016 12:19pm
Too little, too late; but a good step forward though!!!
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Sep 08, 2016 12:21pm
Election Year approaching. Brace yourself for announcements like Laptop schemes, bullet trains, space shuttles, converting government buildings into 'women IT universities' etc etc etc
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Sep 08, 2016 12:23pm
At last present Govt did something for higher studies for we have already undergone a drought in R&D arena during the last 1.5 decades. There is a real need for effective PHDs who can re-invigorate the R&D culture in the public sector universities. More importantly, Govt should engulf all such initiatives with a proper feedback and accountability system.
Once the scholars have completed their degrees the extent of their contribution in developing the R&D culture should be evaluated and upon these basis a system of appointments and assignments on key posts should take place.
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Sep 08, 2016 12:24pm
Noble idea. But expect only 10% will return to benefit the nation.
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Sep 08, 2016 12:26pm
That's a great news indeed. In fact, this will totally change Pakistan's prosper in the world. Thanks to US and thanks to HEC.
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Sep 08, 2016 12:26pm
Pakistan should consider Germany as a viable alternative to the US or UK. Phd programs, in fact most of the college programs are virtually free in Germany, even for foreign students. It will be much cheaper for the country and greater chance the scholars will eventually return to help develop the country.
US Green Card is too tempting for Phds to stay one permanently.
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Sep 08, 2016 12:32pm
@Indian Prof ... McGill University has an excellent reputation.
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Sep 08, 2016 12:51pm
@Indian Prof you are a great man with good heart
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Sep 08, 2016 12:57pm
@Farman
I agree. Suggestion for HEC to commission an independent consultant to assess the impact of previous similar investment, which I assume is helping foreign countries, as almost all those who secured these scholarships are serving other countries and not Pakistan. I am sure, they are also reading this news. Please do let us know why you preferred to leave Pakistan. We know the answer, but would let them speak.
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Sep 08, 2016 12:59pm
@Ali Tipu For remittance Pakistan should prepare skilled labours (with quite lower cost) and arrange their jobs in other countries. Remittances from highly qualified professionals are not that much comparing to labours from Gulf countries. Professionals always trying to settle in developed countries by neutralizing citizenship.
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Sep 08, 2016 12:59pm
where is Engineering?
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Sep 08, 2016 12:57pm
In current situation not a single person will back to this country after education/training. Please see the reality, ground reality and not live in illusion. In Pakistan job condition is nearly 0%. Few remaining jobs are for sons and daughters of senior govt. officials and politicians. No growth of industry, education, development. Things are not standstill, it is sinking sharply/deeply in sand.
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Sep 08, 2016 12:58pm
Select students on pure merit. Otherwise no use.
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Sep 08, 2016 01:24pm
Even if 50 % comes back it will be good for our Universities .They lack good teaching staff.
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Sep 08, 2016 01:33pm
The 21st Century requires skills in STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to develop any nation. Without emphasis on these areas of studies, the country will be stuck dependent on Agriculture as the mainstay of the economy.
We need to learn from countries as varied as US, Japan, S.Korea, Germany and China.
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Sep 08, 2016 01:35pm
When Dr Ata Ur rehman was in HEC, had sent around 3000 candidates to other countries for higher research (MPhil/PhD).
suddenly the government funding to HEC was stopped when PPP-led government came into power. Many of these PhD program candidates were left high and dry in foreign countries. One of my friend who is in UK begged me for money for fees after his grant was suddenly stopped. His masters degree was withheld by Imperial College UK because he couldnot submit fee of his last term. My friend surrendered a good Job in Aga Khan University and another offer from DOW. So all you guys who are saying that all Phd nominnee should return to pak should also consider these realities. If you were in his place will you be willing to comeback and serve the country?
And what is the guarantee that funding will be continued for this batch in the next govt?
Dear Colleagues we need national education policy not just a knee jerk reaction for few votes.
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Sep 08, 2016 01:36pm
Concentrate on primary education for all first. Especially girls.With that money build some good schools.
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Sep 08, 2016 01:38pm
@Farman totally agree.
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Sep 08, 2016 01:45pm
You can always send some of them to here over New Zealand, our higher education is world class.
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Sep 08, 2016 01:53pm
Just make sure you select the candidates on merit...
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Sep 08, 2016 01:58pm
only 1% of the people who get PhD scholarships abroad ever return to Pakistan. This whole system needs to be checked otherwise it has increased brain drain instead of promoting acquisition and improvement of knowledge base in the country..
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Sep 08, 2016 01:59pm
All the people complaining about these people not returning or returning and eventually going back ... have you taken a minute to question why they go back? Its like you want to buy the latest technology car but you do not have the right fuel to run it. You have the best electric vehicle, but no electricity to run it.....just like that you get these people trained in the best and latest technology but when they come back there is no plan to upgrade the universities...no grants for research....no development at all. So what would you do eventually if you are a smart person? You would go to another country where there is the fuel needed to lead a good progressive and productive life! So instead of criticising all those who eventually left and never came back...please note that sending people for Doctorates is a start of a process....next should be upgrading of universities and research facilities....something our illiterate and vision deprived "leadership" cannot understand!!!
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Sep 08, 2016 02:00pm
What a great news, we are going to witness 10000 jobless doctors. Infect, I knew a lot of my PhD friends, who have a bundle of publication's, but unable to find job from the past 6 monts. Please dont judge their academic achievements as most of them have published huge number of research papers in prestigious academic journals. One more thing, most of these scholarships will be gained via references.
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Sep 08, 2016 02:02pm
@Imran latif because with IT scholarship they actually WOULD be able to do something for the country. So these smart-alecs ensure nothing useful is done.....
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Sep 08, 2016 02:05pm
@syed wasim haider dear brother, what about peoples who have done their phd, sorry to say, universities are very well saturated with phds, and if these 10000 guys come back, they will face frustration by living a jobless life.
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Sep 08, 2016 02:07pm
That's fantastic
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Sep 08, 2016 02:09pm
Foreign country universities have huge amount of grants to support their R & D. Please, comsume the peoples who are already phd doctor's.
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Sep 08, 2016 02:09pm
The funds for research in local public Universities are being slashed! Such planning is forcing these institutes to divert to Bachelor level education (in some cases to FSc level), to raise funds from fees.
Only those MPhil/PhD students are acquiring higher education in Pakistan, who are weak in English/communication, a 3rd div or 2 2nd divs in their educational carrier or family constraints! I have seen several faculty members from reputed universities complaining, their good students leave within 2 years of start of PhD, to avail such scholarships. Competition among donor countries for scholarships is getting intense with CPEC ... China, Western Europe, and now US :)
10% 20% or 50% will come back is not of concern. Our system of education needs boast.
If no research fund/student then teaching only bachelor is much lucrative in Middle East!
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Sep 08, 2016 02:31pm
10,000 is just peanuts compared to other Asian countries' students. China is sending over 100,000 students while India more than 132,000 annually to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathemtics subjects to the US. The cutting-edge world would be demanding more in the years to come.
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Sep 08, 2016 02:34pm
Nothing will happen. These are Just political marketing tactics.
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Sep 08, 2016 02:37pm
Hope this program will get materialized..
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Sep 08, 2016 02:47pm
And then what??? They come back to Pakistan and do the same old job they were doing before they left. Look at those who came back with the PhD from abroad. What difference did they make upon returning? Bottom line is research is not supported in Pakistan. What can the PhDs do without having grants?
I came to the Netherlands on HEC scholarship but did not return. I paid back the money HEC spent on me plus a 25% penalty (in total 76000 euros). I have now about 200 research papers in big international journals, won a big grant for research and graduated 2 PhD students already. I could not have done that in Pakistan. The government is busy in making roads and metros but not doing iota for science or research.
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Sep 08, 2016 02:57pm
@SR Ever pondered over why they do not want to come back?
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Sep 08, 2016 02:59pm
Alhamdulillah, its a good news.
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Sep 08, 2016 02:58pm
cost of fees per student if $20,000 per year x 10,000 x 5 years = $ 1 billion. Why not send students on masters/Mphil and they get scholarship for PhD themselves if are really competent. Does Pak need so may non science PhDs
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Sep 08, 2016 03:02pm
P.S. salary does not mean anything to me but research does and it is my life.
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Sep 08, 2016 03:07pm
Great news. Education is the ONLY way forward. I hope these students come back to Pakistan after their studies and contribute to her development.
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Sep 08, 2016 03:20pm
Give 3 times more scholarships for masters spending the same money. Expect them to earn their Ph.D. by their own. That will be more beneficial. A Ph.D. with a scholarship is less qualitative and thus less beneficial.
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Sep 08, 2016 03:22pm
A very good step by the minister, I woud recommend country should also develop a platform for these students where they can use their skills, abilities and knowledge gained from such an awesome opportunity
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Sep 08, 2016 03:32pm
@Teeli Pehlwan This is truth, unfortunately no 5 or ten years plan has been given by the past few governments, and the only time you hear about these the thought goes why now!!
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Sep 08, 2016 03:44pm
Excellent news...Mr.Ahsan Iqbal is a known honest man and for sure he will keep this vision honest and smooth...The need of the time for Pakistan is higher education and Nationhood keep it up...Wish you good luck Pakistan Zindabad... Ameen..InShaAllah.
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Sep 08, 2016 03:47pm
Scholarships will only be offered to only sons and daughters of bureaucrats and politicians including those having political connections.
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Sep 08, 2016 04:03pm
Is there any official link to this US Pakistan knowledge corridor and ensuing scholarships. I have tried to search but couldn't find any actionable information. If anybody know anything about it please give a link here. Thank you.
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Sep 08, 2016 04:17pm
An excellent action. However, this is time to designate one university for each emerging technology, establish sophisticated labs with sufficient resources, and bringing in reputed foreign scientists to run those labs & teach advanced courses in Pakistan. In this way Within 10 years Pak can produce more than 100000 graduates in advanced sciences & technologies who will be able to continue their scientific endeavors for the nation.
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Sep 08, 2016 04:21pm
@Benjamin Franklin There are always two sides to the coin. Your argument is absolutely weighty as quite certainly these Ph.D. Scholars going abroad can not only be a source of huge foreign exchange for Pakistan but they also may, no, will be great active ambassadors for Pakistan's name and reputation. Undeniably, you've a point there. But imagine how much more value they may have if most of them come back and serve their country with their acquired knowledge and expertise. I'm quite certain that some of them, sincere and devoted, do come back to return the favor to their country.
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Sep 08, 2016 04:23pm
This slogan smell great loss. Priortize first as to what disciplines as a nation you want to advance and excel in. Then focus on improving and/or building relevant, appropriate, and conducive infrastructure in local educational and research institutions. Without proper local such infrastructure these japhazardly sent scholars abroad will prove out-of-place PhDs b/c the support facicilties relevant to their fields of training will be non-existent, as it is the case now for their forerunners. Sending only 'a few' capable individuals in targeted fields makes sense and could bring lasting benefits. DO NOT forget improving elementary education for ALL PAKISTANI childtren which is the most neglected sector of human learning in Paskistan and amounts to wasting the biggest resource of human mind and potential.
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Sep 08, 2016 04:32pm
Ever since our existence, about 80% of all foreign scholarships received through Economic Affairs Division, just lapse due to negative attitudes of the bureaucracy.
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Sep 08, 2016 05:10pm
Pakistan's Public Funds should be prioritized towards primary education.
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Sep 08, 2016 05:12pm
My nephew from Islamabad gained admission with aid for a PhD program in engineering at University of Florida. 3 times he applied for a US student visa and all 3 times he was denied stating "possible immigrant".
How many of the 10,000 students will be given a US visa, and how many will ever return back to Pakistan is the million dollar question.
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Sep 08, 2016 05:16pm
Please make sure somehow that they come back and serve the country.
It would be interesting to see the statistics of how many S&T and other such scholars came back to Pakistan after heavy expenditure from national resources.
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Sep 08, 2016 05:21pm
Excellent decision but it must be immediately effected for better and tangible results.
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Sep 08, 2016 05:38pm
Outsourcing education, will increase brain drain. Top 1000 brains will leave the country for foreign shores on a one way ticket
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Sep 08, 2016 05:41pm
While it would not be fair to the Pakistani tax payers when a lot of these students decide to stay in America after completion of their education, it would still not be a total loss: Most people becoming expats after crossing, say, 18 years of age retain strong ties with their former motherland: They then contribute via foreign exchange remittance, by 'soft' promotion of image, by political activity for their motherland, and by forming expat-community connections.
Of course they SHOULD go back to their motherland when their education was paid for by the tax payers. But send the bright ones away for these scholarships anyway--it can't hurt in the long run. One week of govt corruption and inefficiency in Pakistan probably wastes way more than the yearly expenses for all these 10,000 scholars combined.
PS. I wish I were younger--this beautiful world is so full of possibilities and opportunities!
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Sep 08, 2016 05:49pm
First make sure that these scholars will return to Pakistan after completing their studies and research or it will be brain drain for the country.
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Sep 08, 2016 05:50pm
I am wondering if the oppressive quota system will be applied to these slots as well resulting in Karachiites to not get any or less than 1% spots.
By the way it appears to be sponsored by USAID.
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Sep 08, 2016 05:52pm
OK, nephew, nieces and friends, get ready for free visit and jobs in the US. Pakistan will pay for everything without getting any benefit.
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Sep 08, 2016 05:52pm
Just sending talented Pakistani scholars to the US or any other country is not the solution. Instead this money needs to be used to improve the educational institutions within Pakistan for every student from primary to college studies.
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Sep 08, 2016 06:07pm
Spectacular results of financial windfall for US and the Pakistani individual. Unfortunately,my poor country will get nothing back in return.
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Sep 08, 2016 06:08pm
@Benjamin Franklin Ex pats who are usually working menial jobs in middle east send back their paychecks. Families well settled in the US and Europe are a very small percentage of the this equation.
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Sep 08, 2016 06:12pm
Another Vision 2025 from Mr. Ahsan Iqbal. Seeing successes in distant future, ignoring pressing demands of today.
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Sep 08, 2016 06:42pm
Out of the 10000 sent, 9999 won't come back to Pakistan.
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Sep 08, 2016 06:50pm
Spectacular results ?in terms of remittances ? . I think only few of them will bother to come back again.
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Sep 08, 2016 06:58pm
@SR "If these candidates are committed to Pakistan and willing to come back and serve the nation then this is a good step..."
Sending them abroad and hoping for their return will not work. They should have a job and a path for advancement in their career drawn and well communicated before they are sent abroad. Most of them upon returning either do not find jobs or are treated badly by their envious colleagues and threatened bosses.
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Sep 08, 2016 06:59pm
Good. People will stay in mainstream.
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Sep 08, 2016 07:03pm
I am an Indian. If you create good graduate colleges, they will earn MPhil/PhD admission by their skill. Govt. don;t have to look into it. In IITs., most of the students follow rigorous academic course and work hard for future programs. The students, then, based on skill, apply to western universities for higher studies and most of them succeeds.
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Sep 08, 2016 07:19pm
@zipzack : I have no idea how you came to that conclusion or that information, but let me tell you: YOU ARE 100% CORRECT! :D
(How do I know? I have a PhD!)
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Sep 08, 2016 07:33pm
I think Pakistan would be better off investing in its own institutions of higher education, than spending vital foreign exchange on sending people to the US, at least half of whom are guaranteed to not come back and stay in the US. US as a country benefits from it too. It is always looking for talented educated people to migrate to the US, and this is one way of achieving that goal. When I was at a US university, 6 students from Pakistan came to do their Masters and PhDs on a similar program that offered them scholarships. One of them moved to a lower tier institution to get his PhD (because it was less demanding), the remaining 5 never completed their PhD and got jobs in the US. No one moved back to Pakistan.
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Sep 08, 2016 07:41pm
It is a well known fact that after getting doctorate nobody will come back. One relief, they earn good money and we will get more dollars from US which help us to sustain...
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Sep 08, 2016 07:43pm
@zipzack Not true! Talking from personal experience.
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Sep 08, 2016 08:01pm
This is awesome news I heard after several years. Education is the best investment Pakistan can make...
Competition and rivalry in Sports ,education and science and technology, engineering is best India China Pakistan and other South Asian countries can do... It will only yield best and positive results for all humanity!
Best wishes from an Indian !
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Sep 08, 2016 08:02pm
@Imran Soomro Indian Govt has no role in it. Most of these students go there out of their own interest and individual institutes help prepare these students for higher studies. USA is Pakistan's friend and wants prosperity of Pakistan, unlike the case of India, where USA has played role in sabotaging local research programs in India. You have easier task than India.
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Sep 08, 2016 08:20pm
Ninety percent will stay in USA after completing their PhD. Unless conditions in Pakistan become conducive enough to attract bright minds, just by giving scholarships and hoping that the country will eventually benefit is like building castles in the air.
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Sep 08, 2016 08:22pm
Even though I am a big supporter of PTI, but for this marvelous step, I salute Mr. Ahsan Iqbal.
But priority should be science and technology instead of literature and bla bla.
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Sep 08, 2016 09:04pm
Zabardast! More scope for corruption!
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Sep 08, 2016 09:06pm
That means Govt. will be able to add 10,000 PhD related jobs in say next 15 years... Realistically speaking, I don't think this is possible. Any Govt. in Pakistan will be not able to add these many jobs, and hence, there is no purpose of sending these many students to US for PhDs. First create enough jobs with competitive salaries and then send students abroad for higher studies. Its just another way of wasting Pakistan's money. PS: I do have a PhD as well.
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Sep 08, 2016 09:11pm
Why not take the money that would be spent to train PHDs for USA and instead build a University or two in Pakistan.
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Sep 08, 2016 09:12pm
@Sameer that is sad. I wish it was other way around..let everyone who on merit can should not rot for lack of assistance ...vikas sath sath for everyone.
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Sep 08, 2016 09:20pm
@Imran Soomro 10000 in the next 10 year Ii.e 1000 a year.
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Sep 08, 2016 09:38pm
Giving free money never works. Instead invest in elementary education and give hope and confidence that they can succeed and set their path.
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Sep 08, 2016 09:45pm
They will never come back. Rather invest in schooling education in villages and for poor, they will work for their motherland and will return the debt to the nation with interest.
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Sep 08, 2016 09:57pm
@SR Whether they come back or not, they will still send back a ton of money anyways so they are still better than spending money on the non-sense that our politicians do. Funny thing is that people in Pakistan start to remember accountability when the money is going to education. On all other fronts, we are fine.
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Sep 09, 2016 12:04am
Wishful thinking.
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Sep 09, 2016 12:44am
how we will get this?
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Sep 09, 2016 05:03am
90% of them will settle there and will not come back.
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Sep 09, 2016 06:46am
@Indian Prof i am a collage student and eant to study in canada but financially i m not strong what should i do?
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Sep 09, 2016 06:55am
I am a science student i want to study in canada but financially i m not strong what to do?
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Sep 09, 2016 08:14am
@Farman No need to put undue pressure. Well qualified Pakistanis holding good positions abroad remain assets of Pakistan in many ways. They may leave the country but their hearts remain in Pakistan.
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Sep 09, 2016 09:25am
So the US is going to gain 10,000 more permanent residents in the next decade. Hopefully they'll be taxpayers. My question is - Does Trump know?
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Sep 09, 2016 09:47am
Developing nationalistic approach is necessary alongside taking these steps so that foreign qualified class be useful for its motherland.
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Sep 09, 2016 02:30pm
and many won't return!
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Sep 09, 2016 04:49pm
So HEC is pushing the 10,000 brightest minds out to US and even paying for them? Returning back is the last thing these students would do.
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Sep 09, 2016 08:09pm
@Indian Prof sir iam studying biomedical engineering and iam from afghanistan any chance for me?
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Sep 09, 2016 09:48pm
Bravo!! This is great step
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Sep 09, 2016 09:51pm
Good, raise the standard of our own universities. Pump some money into education sector for the sake of our future.
This will not benefit Pakistan as much, as most of these people don't tend to come back and serve.
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Sep 09, 2016 10:26pm
Indeed a great step to create a knowledge based environment. However, it's imperative that we equally setup R&D facilities in the country, so these scholars upon their return can be engaged productively on research work -- otherwise, utilizing such scholarly resources in operational and administrative roles will not do any good to the country. I fail to understand why a Phd Scholar is always recruited to run the administrative affairs of HEC in first place ?
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Sep 09, 2016 10:52pm
How many of those who had been sent to USA and Europe before have came back home to serve Pakistan??
Please do invest in primary and secondary school education instead of spending millions on those from whom Pakistan will never benefit. There are 1.8 million children in Balochistan only who have never been to school.
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Sep 09, 2016 11:03pm
Hope one gets to read plenty of news of this genre from Pakistan.:)
Good luck!:)
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Sep 09, 2016 11:14pm
@Mahmood We need to learn from countries as varied as US, Japan, S.Korea, Germany and China.
Why did you leave out India?!?:)
India had an operational launch yesterday of the biggest rocket ever, the GSLV, which if after several successful flights is "human-rated"then, India would be ready for a manned space flight.
It took thousands of engineers and 20 years of effort to master something called cryotechnology,fueled by liquid oxygen and hydrogen and the REAL backbone which produces these technocrats is the higher-education system in India.
Read over some of Dr.Pervez Hoodbhoy's articles, where he praises the TOP Indian science institutions as being at par with the best in the world?
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Sep 10, 2016 12:33am
@Farman : The US normally gives a J-1 visa (exchange student) tied to such aid. Under this you can work for 2years in the US during your studies but the moment you graduate, you are obliged to return to your home country for a minimum of 2years.
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Sep 10, 2016 01:29am
HEC/ Federal govt futuristic goals ? Unless, govt must spend in developing online programs/projects to collaborate with real investor companies/partners/entrepreneurs to work with already done PHDs for making their theories to a successful end prototypes/development.
Has HEC or federal govt made some feedback/reviews on the previous PHDs working style, how much they are contributing at what positions. Increasing nos. of docs just can increase the statistics on papers. Most of them in govt institutions are working at same positions without their logical moral obligation/contract for contributing in surrounding teams, just getting 10k extra amount; even then internally they are impressed with their experienced bachelor colleagues working in pvt setups. On the otherside, pvt universities will find more fish out of water. Good chance for pvt universities greed's to make further expansion programs in every city at much higher fees, by hiring them part-time at more low wages.
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Sep 10, 2016 02:48am
Its a flawed policy of the Govt. spend same money on developing quality of education at Pakistani Universities will be better spent,,
its bogus and thought some deserving people go abroad , mostly will be sifareshi, and they don't return back .
Countries that are developed spent on improving their institutions/ colleges and universities, they did not mass send their students to other countries and in case of pakistan they never return.
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Sep 10, 2016 02:50am
Before Govt formulates a policy for 10,000 PhD scholars in US. It should first talk to those Pakistanis who have been a PhD scholar in US.
The greatest beneficiary of this huge project will be the Professors in US, with whom these poor folks will be working as PhD students. As Professors will not be paying from their own funds, it will be the HEC that will be milked.
HEC should formulate a strict policy of what courses a scholar can take, what semester his research work can start, when the scholar will finish. From my experience, a Mechanical scholar started taking courses in Management, as he thought it was easy to pass. At the end of the day he has to abandon his PhD program. For this purpose, professors should be held accountable as to why the scholar is not able to finish PhD in time.
Only top schools should be chosen for PhD. It will ensure a PhD in 4-5 years. Otherwise, the scholars end-up in selling pizzas and working in gas stations.
Ex-PhD scholar in US.
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Sep 10, 2016 03:40am
It is important that Pakistan should send some students for Ph.D.in Curriculum Development for High Schools.The Social Sciences that are taught in our high schools MUST be of Highest STANDARD in Asia.At this time India has successfully adopted the US curriculum in some provinces.This gap can be assessed by first hand experience.Pakistan according to the number of universities in each province should select the number of Students according to the needs.The subject of comparative education should be included. Same can be said about Translation skills from other languages.
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Sep 10, 2016 06:54am
Great idea to promote higher education leading to Ph.Ds. But The writer has serious reservation on the success and value of such a program. The question needs to be . addressed. What will be their fate if and when they return home with a Ph.D and no place and /or facilities to employ their newly acquired knowledge issues e to address and solve real issues Pakistanis face. The only consolation for a short period would be to write Dr. instead of Mr.
There is a greater need for HEC to collaborate with Lower Education Commission (LEC)--cynicism) to improve the over all education system in Pakistan that ate the future.
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Sep 10, 2016 07:37am
My guess - a big chunk of these scholarships will be taken over by the children of the well connected and powerful elite.
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Sep 10, 2016 07:00pm
We should form a forum where we can get tips how to secure admissions in US universities. This scheme of scholarships should be advertise as most of our students are not aware of the opportunities. I myself will try if i secured admission.
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Sep 11, 2016 01:43pm
Pakistani authorities would do well to consider the Indian example here. Education funding is a sustained year after year effort and persistence, just like civilian democracy, not a short term goal. Indian IITs have become incubating centers for Silicon Valley CEOs and most of them are returning back or investing heavily into India due to affinity & affection. And bringing same edu pattern here.
You cannot allocate good funding once or twice and expect results by putting bonds, restrictions on people. It needs to be accepted that there will be a good percentage who will settle abroad and become Americans: so what? Make Pakistan attractive as a destination for their money and make most of them brand ambassadors of the nation by hard work and morals. The rest will also return back as entrepreneurs and educationalists once the situation improves. Who has the responsibility for all that? Yes, civilians to an extent, but we all know whose capable, yet fidgety hands the larger onus resides.
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