ISLAMABAD: A ceremony in Islamabad recognised around 35 Pakistani professionals who have completed higher education and training programmes in Australia under the Australia Awards Scholarships initiative.
Officials also noted that nearly 21,000 Pakistani students are currently pursuing studies in Australia.
The Australia Awards Scholarships Recognition Ceremony was held in Islamabad, where returning scholars were honoured for completing fully funded master’s degrees and short courses in fields linked to Pakistan’s development needs. More than 900 Australia Awards scholarships have been granted to Pakistani students since 2009.
The event was hosted by the Australian High Commission and attended by government officials, academics, professionals and representatives from the development sector.
Australian High Commissioner Timothy Kane said the scholarship programme aims to support Pakistan’s future by developing skilled professionals across multiple sectors. He said former scholarship recipients are already contributing in government institutions, businesses, universities and civil society organisations.
He added that the latest group of scholars completed studies and training in areas including climate resilience, water security, agriculture, governance, taxation and gender equality. These programmes were designed to equip participants with practical knowledge to support policy development and economic planning in Pakistan.
The High Commissioner further noted that some scholars also received training in climate finance, export competitiveness and gender-responsive policymaking, which are important for addressing economic and environmental challenges.
The ceremony highlighted women’s participation in higher education, with a significant number of returning scholars being women, reflecting efforts to promote equal opportunities in education and professional development.
Officials said educational cooperation between Australia and Pakistan continues to strengthen, with thousands of Pakistani students enrolling in Australian universities and training institutions each year.
The Australia Awards programme provides fully funded opportunities for students and professionals from developing countries to study and train in Australia, supporting leadership development and skill-building in key sectors.–APP
