Pakistan announces Germany-funded scholarships for female Afghan refugees

Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Saturday announced Germany-funded scholarships for female Afghan refugees residing in the country.

The HEC, in a statement, has invited female Afghan refugees to apply for the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) scholarships provisioning a two-year Master’s degree programme for eligible candidates.

The scholarships will allow the successful applicants to study in HEC-recognised universities in Pakistan for the academic year 2024.

The initiative, funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, includes scholarships for all disciplines.

Female Afghan refugees who are residing in Pakistan and have valid proof of registration (POR) cards issued by the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) are eligible for the scholarships and can apply online on the HEC’s website.

However, applicants must have completed their undergraduate degree, equalling 16 years of education, from an HEC-recognised university with at least a 2.5 CGPA — and must be enrolled in the first semester of a two-year Master’s degree.

The announcement comes as girls’ education above sixth grade is still suspended in Afghanistan.