A brilliant science student from Mardan who aspires to become a scientist has appealed to the chief minister to finance his studies as he has qualified the entry test for admission to Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology but his family cannot afford his educational expenses.
Hailing from the Paathi Khurd village of Takht Bhai tehsil of Mardan, now living in a small house at Tajabad locality on University Road, the 19-year-old is fascinated with the subject of Mecatronics, which is synergistic combination of Mechanical, Electronic, Computer, Control and Systems Design engineering to create, design, and manufacture useful products. He has been an inventor at heart since his childhood. With his magic fingers he can turn any scrap with some wires and batteries into a new invention.
Son of an educated man of little means, Masroor is second among his four siblings. His father Nasir Khan, himself the son of a poor farmer, struggled hard and did his M Sc in agronomy and is employed with a private company in Peshawar. His elder brother, 21-year-old, has been adopted by his uncle who is footing his educational expenses. His 17-year-old sister is a 10th grade student at Forward High School while another sister, a 13-year-old, is special child who was born with down syndrome.
Masroor did his F Sc last year from Fizaia Degree College Peshawar. He was a brilliant student at the college and his project on sensor burglar alarm system won his team the first position.
The student excels at repairing any kind of electronic good, it does not take him long to detect the problem and fix it. He has got Digital Multi-Metre, soldering machine and can repair household electronic appliances easily. His interest in engineering discipline made him apply to the GIK for studying electronic engineering. Over 6000 candidates appeared in the test held on July 4. He qualified the test and ranked 306 on the successful candidates list unveiled on July 9.
Those with means could realise their full potential with access to some of the world finest academic institutions and research facilities and eventually bring glories to this nation. Others with limited means either get lost in the dust are neglected due to apathy of our society and the government. Masroor Khan is just one such example. He could never even think of studying in a renowned institution such GIK. Despite knowing that he could not afford to study in these institutions he went ahead and sat in the entry test of the GIK and was selected without further adieu. Now his parents worry how they are going to support him for the four years Electronic engineering degree.
The four-year degree will cost his father Nasir Khan, Rs1.6 million per annum charges being Rs4 lakh, while he struggles to provide for his family.
For Masroor his dream seems to be an easy reach if only he can somehow relieve his parents from the burden of supporting his education. He has not given up hope and is trying frantically to search for external assistance as his university starts in August and he has to submit the annual tuition fee of Rs 400,000 lump sum by July 30. He can be reached on the cell number of his father 03329134338.