Announces scholarships, startup loans, and financial reforms at UET convocation
PESHAWAR:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has announced plans to make education completely free for female students in the province, emphasizing that only an educated mother can create an educated and civilized society.
He attended a convocation of the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar on February 21 as Chancellor and awarded degrees and gold medals to graduates.
A total of 555 graduates received Bachelor, Masters, and PhD degrees, while 23 outstanding graduates were honored with gold medals.
Minister for Higher Education, Meena Khan Afridi, UET faculty and management, graduates and their parents, also attended the convocation.
In his address, the chief minister felicitated the graduates, their parents, faculty members and expressed his best wishes for the graduates and encouraged them to work hard in their respective fields to bring pride to the province and the country.
The CM urged the graduates to pursue research and technology, as these fields offer vast opportunities.
He also mentioned that significant efforts are being made to promote the industrial sector in the province to create employment opportunities for graduates.
Furthermore, he announced that the upcoming budget would include a loan scheme for doctors, engineers and other professionals, enabling them to establish their own startups and companies instead of seeking jobs, thereby generating employment for others.
During his speech, Gandapur highlighted that the provincial government has established a seed fund for scholarships and is providing opportunities for students to study abroad on scholarships.
Similarly, efforts are also underway to provide free education opportunities to orphan children.
The CM said that his government inherited financial challenges in various sectors but is working hard to overcome them and make institutions self-sufficient.
When the incumbent government assumed power, universities faced liabilities of Rs72 billion, which have now been reduced to Rs24 billion.
He assured that a new mechanism is being developed to resolve salary and pension payment issues in universities, ensuring that they become self-sustainable.
Gandapur expressed his pride in UET Peshawar, terming it a prestigious institution not only for the province but for the entire country.
He praised the university for producing renowned professionals in engineering and technology and for adapting to modern demands by introducing new programs.
News published in the Express Tribune on 22nd February 2025
