3 Packed Scholarships for Pakistani Students

Education is among the most important things to focus on whilst pursuing a successful career. The level of education, the field of study you choose to pursue, and where you graduate from will all be considered when you apply for a job. When necessary, studying abroad at one of the world’s best universities can be very advantageous for your career goals. Luckily, studying abroad nowadays has been much easier since globalization has given a major impact to the educational system all around the world for the better. In addition, governments and organizations all around the world has made common cause in helping the youth further their educations. One of the many attempts in this case is by offering students scholarships for domestic and international studies.

As third parties play their role, students are also required to maintain good performance in their studies and also organizational or volunteering activities to prove that they are worthy of the help from the government or organization that is willing to offer them a scholarship. Hence, in order to do so, as a student you must pursue your education seriously.

Keeping things in order and pushing your limits for very long period of time may not be a very fun thing to do. However, there is a way to avoid the underwhelming feeling of trying to become a success: do what you are most passionate about. Having to do something that you enjoy can make you much more productive than doing what you’re not totally into. You are lucky if you are a senior student at high school and already know what you are most passionate about, especially if you have also planned out a future ahead of you. Many people out there are still lost and confused on what they want to be and what they’re best at. If you are one of these people who are still deciding on what major to take for your higher educational study, keep reading this article as we share some of the secrets to finding the right path for your future and how to decide which scholarship you should apply for according to your needs.

First of all, you need to know what your country, Pakistan, is most focused on economically and in what sectors they need more qualified employees to contribute towards Pakistan’s economic development.

Photo: @randomlies on Unsplash

Know Your Country: Economic Activities in Pakistan

Pakistan is the fifth-most populated country in the world, and 60% of the population is young. Geographically, it is ideally located between east and west. All these factors make Pakistan ideally placed to become one of the world’s leading trade partners. Primary export commodities in Pakistan include textiles, leather goods, sports goods, chemicals, carpets / rugs and medical instruments.

One of the best avenues for investment in the emerging Pakistan is the textiles sector. It is the mainstay of Pakistan’s exports sector which, together with cotton and yarn, accounts for more than half the total value of Pakistan’s annual exports.

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Pakistan is one of the few countries where the complete value chain of textiles manufacturing exists. The country annually produces more than 11 million bales of cotton. The cotton is domestically ginned and then spun into yarn by a robust spinning sector. Weaving, knitting and processing sectors produce a wide variety of fabrics that are stitched to produce world-class garments.

Similar potential for huge value-addition exists in other sectors such as gems and jewelry. All the mining, artful cutting, polishing and rendering into jewelry are done domestically.

As of 2019, Pakistan’s industrial sector accounts for about 20.9% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Manufacturing is the most vibrant sub sector of the industrial sector having 64.8% contribution in the industrial sector and in GDP it accounts for 13.6%. major sectors in industries include cement, fertilizer, edible oil, sugar, steel, tobacco, chemicals, machinery, food processing and medical instruments, primarily surgical. Pakistan is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of surgical instruments.

Large-scale manufacturing, as one of the three components in the manufacturing sub-sector (including large-scale manufacturing / LSM, small scale manufacturing, and slaughtering contributes), is the fastest-growing sector in Pakistani economy. Major industries include textiles, fertilizer, cement, beverages, construction materials, clothing, paper products and shrimp.

Moving on to the agriculture sector, which contributes about 18.9% of the country’s GDP (as of 2019), the most important crops are wheat, sugarcane, cotton, and rice.  Majority of the population, directly or indirectly, are dependent on this sector. It accounts for 42.3% of employed labor force and is the largest source of foreign exchange earnings.

Another major sector in Pakistan is the mining sector. Pakistan is endowed with significant mineral resources and is emerging as a very promising area for prospecting / exploration for mineral deposits. The country has a large base for industrial minerals. The discovery of coal deposits having over 175 billion tons of reserves at Thar in the Sindh province has given an impetus to develop it as an alternative source of energy.

Pakistan’s service sector, however, accounts for about 60.2% of GDP. Transport, storage, communications, finance, and insurance account for 24% of this sector, and wholesale and retail trade about 30%. Pakistan is ranked 4th in terms of broadband Internet growth in the world, as the subscriber base of broadband Internet has been increasing rapidly.

Choose a Major: Recommended Majors for Pakistanis to Study Abroad

Acknowledging the major sectors in Pakistan’s economy, we can conclude that one of the best options for great opportunities of success is to pursue a major related to one of the most focused economic activities in the country. These sectors include manufacturing, agriculture, and service. Each of the three sectors mentioned consist various sub sectors and relate to other sub sectors. For instance, the manufacturing sector consists of textile industry, defense industry, and information communication technology (ICT) industry. Opportunities in these sectors can be found through the following majors:

  • Advanced Physics
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Applied Math
  • Applied Physics
  • Atmospheric Sciences
  • Business Administration and Management
  • Business and Technology Management
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Computer Science and Business
  • Computing and Information Technology
  • Family and Consumer Science
  • Fashion Design
  • Fashion Merchandising
  • Informatics
  • Information and Communications Technology
  • Information Science
  • Information Science Systems and Technology
  • Information Technology and Management
  • Information Technology and Web Science
  • Management Information Systems
  • Marketing
  • Military Science and Technology
  • Studio Arts

To succeed in the agriculture sector in Pakistan, you may want to consider the following majors:

  • Agricultural Technology and Management
  • Agricultural Sciences
  • Agricultural Economics
  • Agricultural and Life Sciences Education
  • Agricultural Biochemistry
  • Agricultural Business
  • Agricultural Studies
  • Agricultural Systems Technology.
  • Agriculture and Society
  • Agronomy
  • Animal Ecology
  • Culinary Food Science
  • Biology
  • Dairy Science
  • Agribusiness
  • Animal and Poultry Science
  • Applied Economics Management
  • Biochemistry
  • Crop and Soil Sciences
  • Environmental Science
  • Food Science and Technology
  • Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise
  • Landscape Contracting

In the service sector in Pakistan, you may succeed through one of the following options of majors:

  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Taxation
  • Communication Studies
  • Public Relations
  • Journalism
  • Digital Communications and Media / Multimedia
  • Business and Industrial Relations
  • Marketing
  • Advertising
  • Telecommunications

Know What You Need: Find the Right Scholarship for You

International scholarships are widely spread across the world. Anyone on earth can pursue studies in other countries with the help of financial aid. Scholarships vary from need-based to merit-based, and fully funded to partial scholarships. Since scholarship applications are generally competitive, you will need to make sure that you are applying for the right scholarship, one that is most suitable for you, and meet all the requirements as well as giving prove that you are deserving of the scholarship.

In order to succeed in this process, first of all, you will need to know the right place to start. Know what you need and what you are potentially qualified for.

Need-based or Merit-based Scholarship?

Speaking in general, there are two types of scholarships: need-based scholarships and merit-based scholarships. The need-based scholarship is offered as a “gift” to you and your family who is in financial difficulties and cannot afford to pay for your study. Need-based scholarships do not require you to give anything back in return. In other words, you are offered a gift with no strings attached.

On the other hand, there are merit-based scholarships which you can apply for if you have demonstrated outstanding academic and/or non-academic performances. Merit-based scholarships are not awarded with regards to your family’s financial circumstances. Instead, you will be considered for the scholarship based on your GPA / CGPA, class rank, and SAT scores.

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Who are aimed for the scholarship?

As you decide which type of scholarship is most suitable for you, make sure you search for scholarships that are aimed at international students in general or one that includes scholarships for Pakistani students as one of its targets, or scholarships that are specifically aimed at Pakistani students.

Full or Partial Scholarship?

The next step is to decide whether you need a fully funded scholarship or a partial scholarship which you can choose if you feel you can handle a part in financing your study abroad. The fully funded scholarship will cover all the needs for your study, including tuition fees, books and living expenses, travel costs, and insurance. If you want to work while studying at your study destination, and you know you can afford to pay part of the study and/or living expenses, you can consider a partial scholarship. Partial scholarships may vary according to the amount of expenses that they cover (25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% for tuition fees only).

What Level of Study is the Scholarship for?

Pay attention to what level of study the scholarship is available for. If you are in your senior year of, or just graduated from high school and you want to pursue a Bachelor degree (single or double) or a Bachelor degree with Honors, find scholarships that are available for undergraduate studies. If you have a Bachelor degree (with or without Honors) and you want to pursue a Master’s or Doctoral / PhD degree, or a research program, search for graduate or postgraduate scholarships.

What field of study does the scholarship program support?

One other thing you want to consider in choosing a scholarship to apply for is whether or not the scholarship is available for the field of study you are willing to take. If you are, for instance, wishing to pursue an MBA (Master of Business Administration), your scholarship application will not succeed if you apply for the Bestway Foundation Scholarship to study at the University of Kent, United Kingdom, as it is only available to students who want to study science, technology, engineering or math. Obviously, you do not meet the requirements for that. Instead, you can apply for the International Scholarships for Taught Masters Students, the Kent Business School Excellence Scholarship, or the Kent MBA Leaders in Sustainability Scholarship.

Quick Tips

For your information, if you are applying for a scholarship provided by the local government – with or without collaboration with another country’s government – make sure the field of study that you are willing to choose is in line with your country’s major economic activities. This will give you a bigger chance in getting the scholarship, since you are considered to be willing to contribute towards the country’s economic development, but of course, you will need to deliver your statement of contribution in your essay. However, keep in mind that not every scholarship program has such preferences. You can go by other scholarship programs provided by organizations or foundations inside or outside Pakistan.

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18 thoughts on “3 Packed Scholarships for Pakistani Students

  1. I need study in Pakistan because they have more best university than more country and I love them so much and all Muslim countries

  2. Hi
    How can I apply for this scholarship?
    There was no link in inside the post.

  3. Hi dear sir/madam
    Age: 25 yrs Gender: male
    I’m African boy,specialy somali student.
    who so want to learn university.
    Although i can’t it.
    So i require you to help me for it.
    NB: i leave omar samatar secondary school (osss)in
    Gaalkacyo mudug puntland somalia.
    So i want to give me this Apportunity.
    I want to study Information and Communications Technology.
    Thank you very much.

  4. I want to be come master in agriculture horticulture department. I want to free scholarship to Pakistan I don’t have many

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