In a significant boost to women’s education, the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) marked another milestone as 57 female students received scholarships under the Scotland Pakistan Scholarship Programme. With this addition, the total number of female beneficiaries at UAF has reached 430, with financial assistance amounting to Rs 48 million.
The certificates were distributed in a ceremony attended by a Scottish Government delegation, including James McNulty, Inclusive Education Lead; Hamza Salim and Irum Amin from the British Council. The visit also opened doors for possible collaborations in training, food certification, and agricultural development.
James McNulty praised the strong educational ties between Scotland and Pakistan and emphasized the scholarship’s role in breaking down barriers for young women pursuing higher education. Funded by the Scottish Government, the initiative supports postgraduate education for women at HEC-recognized institutions across Pakistan.
UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali underlined the significance of such support in preparing women for leadership in agriculture and beyond. He emphasized that strategic human resource development is essential to overcoming Pakistan’s food security crisis. He also highlighted the university’s legacy of scientific research aimed at resolving agricultural challenges.
Representatives from the British Council reaffirmed their support for educational and skills development initiatives, while UAF’s Dr Nazia Ehsan shed light on the persistent financial difficulties faced by low-income students, stressing the importance of continuous support from public and international partners.
Related: National Food Security Agenda Takes Shape at UAF
While the scholarships offer hope and opportunity to many, they also underscore the broader, ongoing challenges in Pakistan’s higher education and agricultural sectors. The programme’s success highlights what targeted international collaboration can achieve—but it also raises pressing questions about the scalability of such efforts and the systemic reforms needed to ensure inclusive access to education and sustainable agricultural growth across the country.