KARACHI, Sep 10 (APP):Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday hailed five outstanding students from Sindh who secured fully funded postgraduate scholarships to the University of Oxford under the Bhutto STEM Scholarship Programme, describing them as future leaders, researchers and innovators who would help shape the future of the province and the country. Addressing a felicitation ceremony at the CM House, the chief minister said the Sindh government …
CM hails Oxford scholars as future leaders of Sindh, Pakistan
KARACHI, Sep 10 (APP):Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday hailed five outstanding students from Sindh who secured fully funded postgraduate scholarships to the University of Oxford under the Bhutto STEM Scholarship Programme, describing them as future leaders, researchers and innovators who would help shape the future of the province and the country.
Addressing a felicitation ceremony at the CM House, the chief minister said the Sindh government firmly believes that education is the strongest catalyst for social transformation and economic progress. “Every investment made in the education of our youth is an investment in the future of Sindh. These scholars represent the aspirations, talent and resilience of our young generation,” he said.
The ceremony, organized by the College Education Department, was attended by Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Culture Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Minister for Works and Services Ismail Rahu, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Rajvir Singh Sodha, senior government officials, representatives of the University of Oxford and the Oxford Pakistan Programme (OPP), parents, faculty members and students.
The five scholars selected for the academic year 2026-27 are Faiza Rehman (MSc Economics for Development), Amarta Chandio (MSc Clinical Embryology), Nir Mussawwir Ali (MSc Economics for Development), Furjad Shahid Hassan (DPhil Zero-Carbon Energy Research) and Junaid Ahmed Memon (DPhil Engineering Science).
Congratulating the students, Murad Shah said their admission to Oxford University, one of the world’s foremost centres of learning and research, was a remarkable achievement earned through merit, perseverance and academic excellence.
“You are ambassadors of Sindh and Pakistan. Your success sends a powerful message to young people across our province that no dream is beyond reach when talent is matched with hard work and opportunity,” he said.
The chief minister said the Bhutto STEM Scholarship Programme, a flagship initiative envisioned by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, was launched through a partnership between the Sindh government and the Oxford Pakistan Programme to provide talented students with access to world-class higher education.
He said the initiative reflects the vision of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who championed education as a tool for empowerment, opportunity and social justice.
“Through this initiative, we are not merely funding degrees; we are nurturing future economists, scientists, engineers, researchers and policymakers who will contribute to solving the challenges of our time and drive sustainable development,” he said.
Murad Shah reiterated the Sindh government’s commitment to expanding access to quality education and creating opportunities for young people to excel in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). He also appreciated the Oxford Pakistan Programme and the University of Oxford for ensuring a transparent, merit-based selection process.
Urging the scholars to make the most of the opportunity, he said their achievements belonged not only to them and their families but to the entire province. “We look forward to seeing you become leaders in your professions and contribute to building a stronger, more prosperous and more inclusive society,” he added.
Addressing the gathering, Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah described the scholarships as a landmark investment in Sindh’s youth and a major step towards building a knowledge-based future.
He noted that Oxford University holds a special place in the history of the Bhutto family, with Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari all having studied there.
The minister said the Sindh government has allocated Rs 500 million annually for scholarships supporting students pursuing Master’s, MPhil and DPhil studies, including dedicated opportunities in STEM disciplines. He added that through the Sindh Education Endowment Fund (SEEF), 42,719 meritorious and deserving students have so far received support worth Rs 6.916 billion to pursue higher education at 92 universities and institutions across Pakistan.
“Talent is universally distributed, but opportunities are not. The purpose of the Bhutto STEM Scholarship is to bridge that gap and ensure that talented students from Sindh can access the world’s finest educational institutions and contribute to the development of society,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jamal Pirzada of the University of Oxford praised the Sindh government for transforming the scholarship initiative into a successful programme.
He said the Oxford Pakistan Programme was launched six years ago but initially faced funding constraints. “The Sindh government has played a historic role in making this initiative successful by supporting some of the brightest students from the province,” he said.
Dr Pirzada said the scholarships carry forward the educational legacy of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and provide talented young people with access to one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities.
“When these students arrive at Oxford, they will become part of a rich tradition of academic excellence and leadership. They will also be inspired by the legacy of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who studied and led students there,” he remarked.
Earlier, Secretary Colleges Nadeem Memon welcomed the chief minister and the Oxford delegation and briefed the audience on the transparent and merit-based process through which the scholars were selected.
During the ceremony, the chief minister presented shields and souvenirs to the Oxford delegation and the successful scholars. The event concluded with an interaction session and a group photograph.
