30 female students to receive fully-funded master’s degree scholarships: LG Minister
PESHAWAR
In a groundbreaking development, the Local Government Election & Rural Development Department, under the Asian Development Bank-funded Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cities Improvement Project (KPCIP), has entered into a significant scholarship agreement with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) Bangkok.
As per the agreement, the institute will enroll 30 female students across various disciplines, with a particular emphasis on fields relevant to the development sector as outlined in KPCIP’s Gender Action Plan.
The Asian Development Bank’s Asian Development Fund (ADB-ADF) will cover the costs of these scholarships.
Project Director KPCIP Syed Zafar Ali Shah and Kazuo Yamamoto AIT President signed the agreement. Minister LGE&RDD Arshad Ayub Khan, Secretary Muhammad Daud Khan, ADB representative Inayatullah Waseem, KPCIP’s Director Compliance Amir Alam Khan, Director Technical Mian Muhammad Shakeel, Director Gender Mehnaz Iftikhar, and Director Finance Qazi Raees were prominent among the participants.
Minister Arshad Ayub Khan expressed gratitude to AIT and ADB for providing such opportunities to empower women that would enable them to contribute significantly to societal development.
He emphasized that such opportunities would enable women to excel in traditionally male-dominated fields, showcasing competence, resilience, and leadership capabilities.
“Upon their return, these accomplished scholars will serve as role models for other women, instilling confidence and self-belief in their abilities,” the minister said. The minister noted that they would represent Pakistan admirably, enhancing the country’s image and honing their skills in a multicultural environment.
Secretary LGE&RDD highlighted the importance of diversity and innovation that these scholarship recipients would bring, enriching the work environment with their varied perspectives, skills, and approaches. He stressed the fostering of an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture, where different viewpoints are valued and respected.
In addition to the scholarship program, KPCIP has launched a one-year paid internship initiative, recruiting 25 female interns across five water and sanitation companies. These interns, placed in various departments relevant to their academic backgrounds, are provided with laptops and receive a monthly stipend of Rs35, 000. The program aims to induct a total of 200 female interns, furthering the ADB-funded internship initiative.
Furthermore, a Women’s Business Development Center is under construction in Kohat.
Upon completion, it will offer training in various skills and entrepreneurial opportunities for women. These initiatives aim to empower women to provide financial support to their families, achieve economic self-sustainability, and make meaningful contributions to society.
