ISLAMABAD: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) ministerial standing committee on scientific and technological cooperation (COMSTECH) and Pakistan’s University of Lahore have collaborated to develop a
scholarship program
for Bangladeshi students and intellectuals, state-run media reported on Sunday.
The development comes amid a renewed drive by both Bangladesh and Pakistan to repair historically strained relations following former PM Sheikh Hasina’s removal from office in Aug last year through a student-led movement. Relations between the two countries continued to deteriorate during Hasina’s administration, which prosecuted several members of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) party for war crimes relating to the 1971 conflict.
According to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), the program is open to Bangladeshi nationals between 22 and 45 years who live anywhere in the world. The program includes a tuition fee remission, round-trip airfare, an honorarium, and free lodging, according to the announcement.
“This fellowship program is a testament to our commitment to bridging gaps in education and research across the Muslim world,” Muhammad Iqbal Chaudhary, COMSTECH’s coordinator general, said.
“By investing in Bangladeshi scholars and students, we aim to cultivate a generation of innovators and leaders who will address the challenges of our time,” Chaudhary said, adding that eligible candidates can apply for scholarships until Mar 1.
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