HEC sends 259 students to Hungary on stipendium Hungaricum scholarships
Islamabad : Federal Minister Dr. Siddiqui congratulated the scholarship recipients on their accomplishment. He appreciated HEC and Embassy of Hungary for taking forward the collaborative bilateral relations. He said Pakistan is a developing country blessed with a huge young population. “We need such opportunities for our youth,” he said and underlined that such privileges not only bring pride but also immense responsibilities. He hoped that the youth will realize their full potential, exploit the opportunity, and fulfill their responsibilities in the future.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan held a send-off ceremony for 259 students who have won scholarships to study in top Hungarian universities at different levels under the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme.
Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui was chief guest of the ceremony, while Chairman HEC Nadeem Mahbub, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Hungary in Islamabad Dr. Dora Gunsberger, Advisor Human Resource Development Division HEC Engr. Muhammad Raza Chohan and other notables were also present on the occasion. The ceremony was attended by faculty and parents of the scholarship recipients.
Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme is a fully-funded initiative for Bachelor’s, Master’s, One-Tier Master’s, and PhD studies across various disciplines, including Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Health Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences.
Extending congratulations to the students and parents, Chairman HEC Nadeem Mahbub underscored that HEC is always committed to creating opportunities for the country’s youth. “We are thankful to Hungary for gradually increasing the number of scholarships,” he emphasized. He asserted that the scholarship programme is an investment and will serve both countries. It is, he exclaimed, good to see awardees from all areas of Pakistan, e.g., Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, interior Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, etc. He termed the award ceremony as a moment of pride for the awardees, as they were selected among 1400 applicants.
“You are going to represent Pakistan at international level, so make the best use of this opportunity,” the Chairman advised the students. Expressing his confidence in the potential of Pakistani students, he said the youth of this country are second to none. He hoped that their academic journey and exposure will not only bring positive change to their lives, but it will also harness their capabilities to serve the nation.
Deputy Head of Mission Dr. Dora Gunsberger expressed her pleasure on seeing happy faces. She shed light on the start of programme in 2016 with a few scholarships, followed by gradual increase in the number over the years. She advised the awardees to be prepared for good experiences as well as challenges. “This is a beginning of a new journey where you will face challenges as well, but it is all part of learning process,” she stressed. She termed the award of scholarships a gift to the winners. “The scholarship award is a gift with duty. It is just as much [important] to Pakistan as to you,” she underlined, urging the students to do networking and make friends.
In his welcome remarks earlier, Advisor Human Resource Development Division HEC Engr. Muhammad Raza Chohan shared the background of the academic partnership between Pakistan and Hungary. He informed the audience that over 1200 students had benefited from the programme. “The figure [of scholarship programme beneficiaries] will reach around 1500 after the departure of this batch,” he underlined. Addressing the students, he said, “You will be the ambassadors of Pakistan in Hungary while you study there,” adding that “As you return, you will be the ambassadors of Hungary in Pakistan.” He advised them to fully avail themselves of the opportunity and enrich their personal, academic, and professional perspectives. He affirmed that the programme will help them harness their potential in the academic sphere and they will contribute to the socio-economic development of Pakistan in the future. He also paid tribute to the alumni who are serving the country after completion of their degrees. He also hinted at extension in the programme till 2028.
The ceremony also featured alumni of the scholarship programme who shared their experiences, serving as guiding lights for the outgoing scholars.
The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme was started with an initial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in December 2015, which facilitated 80 annual scholarships over three years. The first batch of 64 students embarked on their academic journey to Hungary in September 2016, marking a successful start. A revised MoU in 2017 elevated the annual scholarship count to 200, followed by a renewal in 2020, extending the partnership until December 2022. The latest agreement underscores a substantial expansion, offering up to 400 scholarships annually across diverse educational levels for another three years, from 2023 to 2025.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
