In a significant development, the University of Oxford has agreed to provide scholarships to students from Balochistan through the Benazir Scholarship Program, as reported by 24NewsHD TV channel.
An agreement was signed between Oxford University and the Government of Balochistan to implement this initiative.
Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti attended the signing ceremony for the scholarship agreement between the Oxford Pakistan Program and the University of Oxford for students from Balochistan.
During his speech at the event, Bugti highlighted that the scholarship will help bridge the educational gap and promote higher education.
Mir Sarfraz Bugti is the first Chief Minister of Balochistan to speak at Oxford’s Lady Margaret Hall, where Benazir Bhutto, the only Muslim world leader with a portrait displayed in the hall, also studied.
The event was attended by 150 delegates, including Malala Yousafzai, Senator Anwaarul Haq Kakar, Aamir Ibrahim, Mohammad Khishgi, Farooq Sheikh, and Prof. Kamal Munir.
“The poor students of Balochistan will receive an education where many great personalities, including the martyred Benazir Bhutto, studied,” Bugti said.
He emphasized that this initiative would link the local needs of Balochistan with global educational standards, addressing educational disparities and strengthening the connection between local aspirations and international academic excellence.
“This represents a fundamental commitment to the educational transformation and empowerment of Balochistan’s youth,” Bugti stated.
He highlighted that higher education is essential for strengthening democracy and promoting social progress, and this scholarship will be pivotal in developing future leaders from Balochistan.
“This is more than just financial aid; it is a means of empowering young people from Balochistan,” Bugti explained.
The new scholarship program is anticipated to offer opportunities for talented Baloch students to pursue higher education at one of the world’s top universities.