Lahore: In a significant enhancement of educational support, the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Lahore has announced an increase in scholarships for students at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FoHSS). This year, the total scholarship funding has been raised to PKR 1 million, benefiting 20 students with both merit and need-based awards.

According to University of Central Punjab, the Consulate General’s recent decision marks a substantial increase from the previous year’s total of PKR 0.5 million. The expanded program now includes 14 merit-based and 6 need-based scholarships, each valued at PKR 50,000, designed to support the academic endeavors of high-performing and financially challenged students alike.

This move follows a series of initiatives aimed at deepening educational cooperation between China and Pakistan. In 2023, during a visit by Prof. Dr. Khalid Manzoor Butt to the Chinese Consulate in Lahore, an initial set of ten scholarships was announced by DU Yue, Director of the Political and Academic Department. Subsequent events, such as the scholarship distribution ceremony held in November 2023 with Consul General Mr. Zhao Shiren, underscored the commitment to enhance this support.

In recognition of his efforts to foster educational ties, Prof. Dr. Khalid Manzoor Butt was awarded the “Friendship Award 2023” by the Consulate General last December. These developments reflect the growing partnership in education between the two nations, highlighting a promising future for the academic and cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan.