LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has approved the Punjab Honahar Merit Scholarship Program, increasing the number of scholarships from 4,000 to 25,000.
This initiative will fully cover the tuition fees for BS students in both public universities and eight private institutions.
In a series of progressive decisions, the Chief Minister also approved the immediate establishment of new universities in Jhelum, Vehari, and Bahawalnagar. Additionally, Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed the rapid implementation of the laptop scheme and the introduction of new college disciplines tailored to meet job market demands.
An online portal for appointing Divisional Directors and Principals is set to be launched, streamlining administrative processes. The meeting, presided over by the Chief Minister, also reviewed plans to provide new buses for government colleges and considered recommendations for establishing universities under a public-private partnership.
A high-level ministry committee has been proposed to oversee private university affairs. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized expanding free MD CAT and Roy CAT classes in colleges, particularly benefiting students from remote areas. She highlighted the importance of facilitating private-sector participation in higher education to enhance opportunities for youth in underprivileged regions.
