By Khalid Khattak
THE silence of the Punjab government over award of scholarships to selected candidates under the previous government’s initiative, Outstanding Talent Development Scholarship, has been greatly irking the students and their worried parents.The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) had announced the scholarships (Phase-II) in April 2007 for BS, MS and MPhil/PhD students in areas of Computer Science, Information Technology, IT Management, Telecom Engineering, Electrical/Computer/Software Engineering, Mathematics and MIS/Management/ Information Systems for Punjab domiciled, academically talented and financially needy students.The deadline for the project was twice extended with September 29, 2007, as the last day to apply. After selection of the successful candidates, scholarship deed was signed by students and their parents/guardians. However, since then the selected students have been waiting for funds from the government to pay for their studies.Interestingly, some recipients of the scholarship had even completed their studies but were still waiting for funds. Their institutions have refused to issue their degrees, which have been adding to their miseries. One such student, Usman Khalid, told The News that after signing of the deed, assurances were given by PITB officials that the funds would be released immediately but to no avail.He said he completed his post graduation from the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) under varsity’s study-loan keeping in view the same would be covered by the PITB scholarship. “The amount outstanding against me is still Rs 52,791”, he said, adding, “I would not be able to attend my convocation if I do not repay the loan.” He said on June 18, 2008, he registered a complaint at the Punjab Chief Secretary Complaint Cell (Complain No 102) after which some PITB officials contacted him and assured that the scholarship issue would be resolved within 15 days.Usman further said afterwards he personally met PITB officials and even registered another complaint (No 490) at the Chief Secretary’s Complaint Cell but received only verbal assurances without any outcome. He said selected students were quite upset because of the unavailability of the funds. To a question, Usman said he had now planned to pay the remaining loan himself so that he could attend the convocation to receive his degree. Recently, in a letter to The News, another student Saqib Saghir had highlighted similar issue requesting the Punjab chief minister to take note of the delay to save students and their families from suffering.
Source: The News International
Monday, December 08, 2008
1 comment:
i am also waiting for scholarship release.
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