Syed Ali Shah:
The Government of Balochistan has taken a groundbreaking step to promote quality education by signing an agreement through the Balochistan Education Endowment Fund (BEEF) with the Oxford Pakistan Program (OPP) at Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford. Under this initiative, one scholarship—named the Benazir Bhutto Scholarship—will be awarded to an individual from Balochistan to study at Oxford University.
Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, emphasized the transformative impact of this partnership, stating, “Providing access to world-class education at Oxford University reflects our commitment to empowering the youth of Balochistan. This scholarship is a stepping stone towards ensuring that talented students from marginalized regions can compete on a global stage and drive progress for Pakistan.”
Finance Secretary Balochistan, Imran Khan Zarkoon, an Oxford alumnus who played a pivotal role in initiating this program, remarked, “As an Oxford graduate, I have witnessed firsthand the value of a high-standard education. This scholarship will pave the way for bright individuals from underserved areas to access opportunities they could only dream of, shaping them into future leaders for our nation.”
Both CM Bugti and Imran Zarkoon have demonstrated unwavering commitment to promoting educational excellence and opening new avenues for the youth of Balochistan and Pakistan at large. Students from impoverished and marginalized communities will now have the chance to apply through the Oxford Pakistan Program and BEEF to achieve their educational aspirations at one of the world’s top universities.
This initiative signifies a historic collaboration aimed at bridging the educational divide and uplifting students from underserved areas, solidifying Balochistan’s place on the global academic map.
