High Commissioner Jane Marriott discusses increased UK scholarship for Pakistani students with CM Maryam Nawaz
Celina Ali
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott met with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, along with Clara Strandhoj, Head of the British High Commission Lahore Office this week.
During the meeting, Jane Marriott congratulated Maryam Nawaz Sharif on her historic appointment as the first woman Chief Minister and expressed good wishes for her tenure. The Chief Minister thanked the British High Commissioner for her wishes.
Discussions focused on increasing scholarships for Punjab students in top British universities and promoting girls’ education. The exchange of technology for monitoring air quality index to address climate change and environmental pollution was also discussed.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif shared her vision on governance and transparency, highlighting the Digital Punjab initiative.
The British High Commissioner praised the Digital Punjab vision, and Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed her commitment to modernize Punjab through digitalization.
She also assured all possible facilities to British institutions for setting up an IT University and informed about the IT Park project in Punjab, especially in Lahore. Maryam Nawaz Sharif mentioned that the IT Twin Towers project will be initiated in Lahore very soon.
Earlier, High Commissioner Jane Marriott welcomed returning Chevening and Commonwealth scholars in Islamabad.
After completing postgraduate studies in the UK, the 2022-2023 cohort consisting of 47 Chevening and 46 Commonwealth scholars had the opportunity to re-connect and foster relationships which will stay with them for life. The 2022-23 cohorts came from across Pakistan, with all provinces represented.
The scholars all benefited from fully-funded scholarships to study a range of subjects, including development, public health, climate change and business, at leading Universities like the University of Oxford and the London School of Economics.
Jane Marriott, said: “Our Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships are up there at the top of the UK’s education offer to Pakistani. These returning scholars have not only received an education at some of the world’s best universities, that have also expanded their professional networks and experienced life in the UK. They take this with them as return to their respective careers and fields.”
Chevening Scholarships are the UK government’s global scholarships programme. Established in 1983, these scholarships support study at UK universities – mostly one-year Masters’ degrees – for students with demonstrable potential to become future leaders, decision-makers and opinion formers. In Pakistan, there are over 1,700 alumni to date.
