ISLAMABAD – The British High Commission announced a new annualscholarship, honouring the legacy of the late rights advocate AsmaJahangir, said an official statement on Thursday.
After a rigorous selection process, the scholarship will be awarded to thebest female Chevening candidate each year.
The recipient of the inaugural award will be announced in August, when the2018 Chevening Scholars have been selected, said the press release.
Chevening scholarships are awarded to the outstanding emerging leaders topursue a one-year Masters programme at any UK university.
The scholarship programme gives the opportunity to future leaders,influencers, and decision-makers from across the world to developprofessionally and academically. It helps them build networks, toexperience the UK culture, and to form lasting positive relationships withthe UK, said the press statement.
The statement further mentioned that in 2017, Chevening sent 63 Pakistanisto universities across the UK – including 23 women.
The British High Commissioner Thomas Drew announced the scholarships andaddressed the ceremony.
He said: “I am delighted to announce that Asma Jahangir’s family has agreedto the creation of a scholarship in her name as part of our prestigiousChevening Programme. It is particularly appropriate to be able to announcethe award, which will each year go to the top female Chevening candidate,on International Women’s Day. For decades, Asma Jahangir was a courageousdefender of Pakistan’s most vulnerable citizens. She was also a powerfuladvocate for the rights of women. This scholarship honours herachievements.”
The British HC further said, “Women across Pakistan, as they are around theworld, are underrepresented in politics, in leadership positions and acrosssociety. We hope that this scholarship inspires future generations ofPakistani women by giving them a platform to realise their potential –helping, in turn, realise the great potential of their country. As thefounder of the country, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, said ‘no nation can rise tothe height of glory unless your women are side by side with you’”.
Asma Jahangir’s daughter, Sulema Jahangir also spoke at the event,honouring her late mother.
“Asma Jahangir believed passionately in the importance of higher education.We welcome the British High Commission’s naming of one of its CheveningScholarships as a fitting tribute to our mother and her life time’s work.”
Prominent lawyer and human rights icon Asma Jahangir passed away onFebruary 11, after suffering a stroke. She was 66 years old. – APP