The Government of Pakistan has announced the Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships for students from Bangladesh, offering fully funded opportunities to 500 scholars across a range of academic disciplines. The initiative aims to strengthen bilateral ties and promote educational and people-to-people exchanges between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Contents

Scholarship levels and eligibility Terms and conditions Application process and deadline

According to official details, the scholarship programme will support undergraduate and doctoral studies in fields including medicine, engineering, computer science, business administration, mass communication, media studies, and basic and social sciences. The scheme is fully funded and covers tuition fees, monthly stipend, hostel and mess charges, settlement allowance, airfare, and books and stationery.

Scholarship levels and eligibility

The programme is open to Bangladeshi citizens only and offers placements at both undergraduate (BS) and PhD levels.

For bachelor’s degree programmes, applicants must have completed 12 years of education with at least 60 percent marks in the relevant subjects. Candidates applying for medicine, dentistry and pharmacy must have secured at least 65 percent marks in FSc (Pre-Medical) or an equivalent qualification. Engineering applicants must also have at least 65 percent marks in FSc (Pre-Engineering) or equivalent.

For doctoral degree programmes, candidates must have completed 18 years of education in a relevant field with a minimum 3.00 CGPA or 60 percent marks.

Applicants holding foreign qualifications are required to provide equivalence certificates issued by the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan.

Terms and conditions

The age limit for BS programmes is 17 to 23 years, while the maximum age for PhD applicants is 35 years. Candidates must have obtained the required qualifications before the application deadline.

Officials state that selection will be made strictly on merit after document verification and physical examination of credentials. The placement of students will be at the discretion of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, and the medium of instruction will be English.

Recipients of the scholarship will be required to serve Bangladesh after completing their studies in Pakistan. Authorities have also cautioned that any misinformation or misrepresentation during the application process may result in termination of the scholarship at any stage.

Application process and deadline

Applicants must submit their forms online through the Higher Education Commission’s scholarship portal at scholarship.hec.gov.pk. Registered candidates will be required to appear in a scholarship test organized by the HEC in collaboration with the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka and Bangladesh’s Ministry of Higher Education. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited for an online interview.