In a groundbreaking development, the Local Government Election & Rural Development Department, under the Asian Development Bank-funded Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Cities Improvement Project (KPCIP), has entered into a significant scholarship agreement with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) Bangkok.
As per the agreement, the institute will enroll 30 female students across various disciplines, with a particular emphasis on fields relevant to the development sector as outlined in KPCIP’s Gender Action Plan.
The Asian Development Bank’s Asian Development Fund (ADB-ADF) will cover the costs of these scholarships.
Project Director KPCIP, Syed Zafar Ali Shah and Kazuo Yamamoto AIT President signed the agreement. Minister LGE&RDD Arshad Ayub Khan, Secretary Muhammad Daud Khan, ADB representative Inayatullah Waseem, KPCIP’s Director Compliance Amir Alam Khan, Director Technical Mian Muhammad Shakeel, Director Gender Mehnaz Iftikhar, and Director Finance Qazi Raees were prominent among the participants.
Minister Arshad Ayub Khan expressed gratitude to AIT and ADB for providing such opportunities to empower women that would enable them to contribute significantly to societal development.
He emphasised that such opportunities would enable women to excel in traditionally male-dominated fields, showcasing competence, resilience, and leadership capabilities.
“Upon their return, these accomplished scholars will serve as role models for other women, instilling confidence and self-belief in their abilities,” the minister said. The minister noted that they would represent Pakistan admirably, enhancing the country’s image and honing their skills in a multicultural environment.
Published in The Express Tribune May 4th, 2024.
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