HEC Awards 200 International Fellowships to Pakistani PhD Scholars

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan has awarded 200 international research fellowships to PhD scholars under its flagship International Research Support Initiative Programme (IRSIP), offering them an opportunity to gain international research experience at leading universities abroad.

The fellowships were awarded under IRSIP Batch 59 during a ceremony held at the HEC Secretariat on Tuesday. Since the programme was launched in 2006, more than 6,900 Pakistani scholars have benefited from IRSIP fellowships.

Chairman HEC Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar attended the ceremony as chief guest, alongside Executive Director HEC Dr. Zia Ul Haq, senior HEC officials, vice chancellors, faculty members, awardees and their parents.

Addressing the scholars, Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar highlighted the programme’s contribution to human capital development and encouraged recipients to make effective use of the opportunity while upholding national values.

He emphasised that knowledge, professional skills and moral values are essential for academic and professional growth. Describing the fellowships as an important opportunity to shape their careers, he urged scholars to broaden their research horizons and undertake high-quality research that delivers meaningful benefits to society.

The HEC Chairman also congratulated the IRSIP selection panel on completing the selection process and reiterated the Commission’s commitment to merit and transparency.

He stressed that discrimination is detrimental to society and called for fairness in implementing HEC initiatives.

Executive Director HEC Dr. Zia Ul Haq highlighted the importance of scholarships in advancing academic careers and supporting national development.

He reaffirmed HEC’s commitment to merit-based selection without discrimination, noting that programmes such as IRSIP provide Pakistani scholars with opportunities to engage with the international academic and research community.

Dr. Zia Ul Haq encouraged the fellowship recipients to use their international exposure for personal and professional development and remain committed to serving Pakistan after completing their research fellowships.

Meanwhile, Member HEC Human Resource Development Division Dr. Nasir Mahmood Khan revealed that the Commission had received 806 applications from across Pakistan for IRSIP Batch 59, reflecting the programme’s nationwide reach.

He also highlighted HEC’s Transnational Education (TNE) Policy and its initiatives aimed at expanding international academic and research opportunities for Pakistani students and faculty members.

Dr. Nasir Mahmood Khan announced that applications for the next IRSIP batch had also been opened.

Vice Chancellor Allama Iqbal Open University Dr. Nasir Mahmood, who participated in the IRSIP selection process, urged the scholars to represent Pakistan as ambassadors during their fellowships at leading international universities.

He described the fellowship as both an achievement and a responsibility, encouraging recipients to maximise the opportunity and contribute to Pakistan’s development.

Launched in 2006, the International Research Support Initiative Programme provides six-month research fellowships abroad to PhD scholars enrolled in full-time doctoral programmes at Pakistani universities.

The programme enables researchers to access advanced research facilities, work with foreign research supervisors and gain international academic exposure.

It also aims to strengthen institutional linkages between Pakistani and international universities, promote collaborative research and enhance the quality of doctoral studies, including research publications in high-impact academic journals.

With more than 6,900 scholars supported since its inception, IRSIP continues to provide international research opportunities for Pakistan’s doctoral researchers.