ISLAMABAD, Mar 17 (IN): The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Pakistan, Fred Senevirathne, met Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Niaz Ahmad Akhtar on March 10, 2026, to discuss ways to further strengthen educational cooperation between the two countries.During the meeting, the High Commissioner appreciated the Government of Pakistan for awarding 1,000 scholarships to Sri Lankan students under the Allama Iqbal Scholarship Programme, launched in 2018. He said the initiative has created valuable opportunities for Sri Lankan youth to pursue higher education in Pakistan.
He noted that around 700 scholarships have already been utilized, with a large number of students successfully graduating in diverse fields including medicine, engineering, information technology and cyber security from various Pakistani universities. He highlighted the programme’s positive role in promoting academic exchange and strengthening people-to-people contacts between the two nations.
The High Commissioner also expressed interest in the renewal of the scholarship programme to enable more Sri Lankan students to benefit from higher education opportunities in Pakistan.Speaking on the occasion, the HEC Chairman welcomed continued academic engagement between Pakistan and Sri Lanka and praised the discipline and performance of Sri Lankan students studying in Pakistani institutions.
He reaffirmed HEC’s commitment to promoting international academic collaboration.He assured that the commission would extend full support to initiatives aimed at further strengthening educational ties between the two countries and took note of the request regarding the renewal of the scholarship programme.Head of Chancery A Christy Ruban and Minister Chathurika Sankapali accompanied the High Commissioner, while Director General HRD Ayesha Ikram and Project Director of the scholarship programme Jehanzeb Khan were also present during the meeting.
