Chief of Party HEC-FAD Programme Dr John Shumaker had a video conference with 11 partner universities. The modalities for provision of financial assistance to needy students from partner universities were finalised under the programme during the proceedings of the video conference, said a news release issued here.
Under the programme, the technical assistance will be provided to HEC and partner universities in establishing free standing financial aid and development offices to improve services to students as they seek options for financial support.
One of the major achievements of the HEC-FAD Programme is the development of the first National Online Scholarship Calendar. The Calendar provides students with an access to all available scholarships being offered through the HEC and HEC-FAD's partner universities. HEC plans to expand the Calendar to other universities soon.
The purpose of the Office of Student Financial Aid and Development is to assist students as they identify sources and strategies for financial assistance to assist with the application and award processes and provide comprehensive services that are responsive to their needs.
As it strives to provide various forms of financial assistance as a way to increases access to higher education, the Offices of 11 partner universities and HEC will employ management systems that support transparency, efficiency and accountability to the university and its many stakeholders.
The orientation session focused on the core objectives of these offices, role of the staff, different student financial aid instruments and practicality of such initiatives. NWFP Agriculture University Peshawar, Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar, Quaid-e-Azam University, University of Arid Agriculture Rawalpindi, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Balochistan University of Information Technology and Management Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Institute of Business Administration Karachi and Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology and Institute of Business Administration Sukkur participated in the session.