KU Vice Chancellor Announces Rs50 Million Fund for Social Sciences and Deserving Students

KARACHI: University of Karachi (KU) Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Wasim Qazi has announced the establishment of a Rs50 million endowment fund to promote admissions in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and provide financial assistance to deserving and talented students facing financial constraints. The Vice Chancellor said he had directed the university’s Director Finance to establish the fund, with Rs20 million earmarked for promoting admissions in Arts and Social Sciences and the remaining Rs30 million reserved for supporting indigent and meritorious students. He emphasized that no talented student should be deprived of higher education due to financial difficulties. He made the announcement while addressing a scholarship distribution ceremony held at the university’s Audio-Visual Centre on Monday. The event was organized by KU’s Students’ Financial Aid Office (SFAO) in collaboration with the University of Karachi Alumni Houston Association (UKAHA), USA. Addressing the gathering, Professor Dr Wasim Qazi said that promoting education, investing in human resources and pursuing collective efforts were fundamental to sustainable social development. He encouraged students to overcome challenges through determination, courage, hard work and a firm commitment to education. Acknowledging the contributions of parents, teachers and society, he stressed that giving back to those who support individuals throughout their educational journeys was a collective responsibility. He also recalled his decision to leave a better-paid position to serve the University of Karachi, expressing his commitment to restoring its academic prestige, educational standards and illustrious traditions. The Vice Chancellor urged students to view education not merely as a means of personal advancement or economic success, but as a powerful instrument for social betterment and national development. He reaffirmed his resolve to transform KU into a dynamic center of academic excellence and research while ensuring quality educational opportunities and fostering independence, responsibility and a spirit of public service among students. Outlining his vision for modernizing higher education, Professor Dr Qazi said the university’s curriculum would be aligned with the evolving needs of industry, commerce and business. The initiative aims to provide students with practical experience, professional training and opportunities to develop connections with industrial and commercial institutions during their studies, better preparing them for the demands of the professional world. He further disclosed that efforts were underway to establish a Business Incubation Centre initially at Dr Mehmood Hussain Library to promote entrepreneurship, innovation and creative thinking among students. The proposed center would help students develop business ideas, formulate project plans and present their proposals to potential investors, enabling them to translate innovative concepts into viable enterprises. Emphasizing the importance of holistic education, the Vice Chancellor said extracurricular activities, co-curricular engagement and social interaction were essential for developing students’ personalities and leadership abilities. He observed that education should go beyond degree acquisition to prepare confident, talented and creative young people capable of securing better employment, establishing businesses and contributing meaningfully to the country’s economic and social progress. Earlier, In-charge of KU’s Students’ Financial Aid Office, Professor Dr Asma Hanif Khan, highlighted the transparent and rigorous criteria followed in selecting scholarship recipients. She informed the gathering that scholarships worth Rs2.1 million had been distributed among 50 deserving and talented students from various academic departments, based on merit and financial need. She added that the University of Karachi Alumni Houston Association, USA, had separately awarded Rs1.3 million in merit-based scholarships to 10 high-performing students of the Karachi University Business School (KUBS). Professor Dr Asma Hanif Khan said the scholarship program was designed to help talented students overcome financial barriers, encourage academic excellence and ensure equal opportunities for pursuing higher education. Speaking on the occasion, UKAHA President Muhammad Azam Akhtar reaffirmed his deep-rooted association with the University of Karachi and his commitment to supporting deserving students. He described KU as much more than an educational institution, calling it an integral part of his life, identity and personality. He explained that UKAHA was established in Houston in 2008 to maintain lasting ties with the university and extend financial support to students in need. Addressing the scholarship recipients, he urged them to regard the assistance as a vote of confidence in their abilities and a source of encouragement for a brighter future. He encouraged the students to pursue their education with dedication, discipline and hard work, bring pride to their university and families, and, once professionally established, extend similar support to others in need. The ceremony underscored the importance of institutional commitment, alumni engagement and targeted financial assistance in expanding access to higher education, strengthening academic excellence and nurturing the next generation of skilled, responsible and socially conscious citizens. KU Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Professor Dr Samina Saeed, KUBS Student Advisor Dr Sohaib Uz Zaman, Department of Mathematics faculty member Dr Muhammad Ayaz, UKAHA Karachi Chapter representative Feroz Iqbal and other faculty members and participants also attended the ceremony.