Author: Ayesha Areej

Best Scholarships for Pakistani Students

Here are the top Scholarships for Pakistani Students.

Scholarships are a great way to open the doors of huge opportunities for you. They don’t only make you a more recognized student and a potential candidate for future goals but also give you an amazing learning experience. There are many ways for you to study abroad. However, getting a scholarship is the most prestigious one. It requires good academic records and other credentials. Because, unlike self-paid admission methods, you have to compete for the position and prove that you are the best fit for that position

Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Program

Erasmus is a very interesting scholarship program that offers many benefits to the selected candidates. The admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree, good academic record, an English language test (with a really good score), recommendation letters, a very well-composed motivation letter, and other formalities of the application. It usually offers only master’s programs in a few selected fields.

The fun thing about Erasmus+ programs is that they are combined master’s degrees. This means you get to study at more than one university in more than one European country (usually two or three). Unlike other scholarship programs, this one is flexible in terms and conditions. After you complete your degree, you a get a two-year work permit. So, this is a great opportunity to start your career. It covers all the expenses, from tuition and living to food and travel. You can check the details on its official website.

Fulbright Scholarship

Fulbright is a very prestigious scholarship program that offers students from Pakistan to study at the best US universities. The admission requirements include the basic ones like the previous degree, English language test score, recommendation letters, personal statement essay, and a GRE test, etc. there are many other details in the application that have to be filled out. It offers both master’s and Ph.D. programs.

It also covers all the educational, living, and traveling expenses. However, it has strict rules and regulations that students have to live by. One of them is that you have to come back to your country to spend an equal duration of time in your home country. The details and the application dates can be found out on the website.

Chevening Scholarship Program

Chevening is also an esteemed scholarship program that gets you to study at the best universities in the UK. The process is highly competitive and requires an outstanding academic and career record.

The admission requirements are added with each year’s application. However, the basic ones remain the same as mentioned above except for the GRE (as it does not need that). You have to show a two years academic record to be considered for this scholarship. Covering all the educational and living expenses, this program also has a condition for you to spend an equal duration of time in your home country. The details of this scholarship program can be found here.

DAAD Scholarships

There are many funding opportunities under DAAD. However, the main DAAD scholarship for Pakistani students is an amazing program that benefits its scholars to a great extent.

It mostly covers German universities that offer high quality of education. The programs that it offers are limited and vary every year. Both research fundings and degree scholarship programs are offered under it. The requirements vary according to the degree or the funding that you are applying for.

It also requires you to show a two-year work experience as a requirement of acceptance. You have to show a high score in the English language test (IELTS or TOEFL) and a good academic record.

In some cases, you have to present a research proposal, too. Check out its details here.

MEXT Scholarship

MEXT offers scholarships to international students every year. It is a competitive scholarship program to study at one of the best Japanese universities. Offering multiple programs, it covers almost every area of study.

In terms of benefits, it is a great program that covers all kinds of studying, traveling, and residential requirements. Like the above scholarships, you have to provide proof of your English language skills through an authentic test. The application procedure is a little more complicated which you can check at its official website.

All the above-given programs are the top scholarships that you as a Pakistani student apply to. Whatever the program you select, make sure you start preparing for it before time and complete all the documents. Keep track of all the deadlines and start making a string profile from today.

Read more: Six reasons why you should consider applying for a scholarship

LUMS is one of the most prestigious institutes of Pakistan. With tough entry criteria and high fees, this university remains at the top of the wish list of students. Not only in management and administrative degrees that are marked as its trademark, but its science schools also are not less than any top institutes of the country.

Established in 2008, the contributions of Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering are amazing in the field. The school has six departments working under its umbrella and Chemistry and Chemical Engineering department is one of them. Equipped with cutting-edge equipment, it provides many opportunities to pursue highly intensive research work for its students. Along with that, different seminars and conferences keep happening in the department that adds to the productive educational environment that it has constantly maintained thus far

Though not very old, it has managed to come into the limelight in a very short span. Credit goes to the laboratories, latest equipment, other state-of-the-art research, and teaching facilities that it has provided its students.

Despite all the efforts that institutions and students put to develop this area of education and practical work in it, the job market for chemistry and chemical engineering is disappointing in Pakistan. But, does being a LUMS student make you any different or increase the chances of your career growth? We will get to know about it from the current students of the department.

Independent Researchers at Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department

Talking about research facilities, this is what this department is known for. But even better than that is their method of providing students with every facility at hand. ‘Unlike other institutes, we just have to learn an instrumental technique. After that, we can use that instrument and apply a procedure on our own whenever we want,’ Amna Tabassum a third-semester MS student told. She added, ‘Being an Alumnus of Punjab University’s chemistry department, I feel a huge difference between LUMS and other institutes. There, only operators can use the instruments and apply techniques for us. We do not have that access.’

Another master’s student while talking about the research facilities said, ‘the best about this department is that every single student has access to all the equipment. It adds independent research skills into us which we could not learn in other institutes.’

This marks a clear difference between the LUMS department of chemical engineering and chemistry and other ones. In Pakistani institutes, particularly public universities, students can use lab facilities in a very controlled environment. Moreover, they cannot carry out any research independently. This results in little development of new ideas and discouragement of creative interest in the field.

Outstanding Professionals and a limited Job Market

There is nothing hidden about the opportunities that young researchers of our country have. There are a few industries and research institutes that have very few vacancies. Also, they are not very highly paid positions.

But students are not disappointed about that. They think they can use their professional skills to make a difference all over the world. A last-year bachelor’s student talking about this issue said, ‘I am so lucky to be a part of this great institute because if not Pakistan, I feel equipped enough to work and study anywhere in the world.’

This hopefulness about the future was found in every student we talked to.

‘LUMS help you to direct your future. They guide us about every opportunity through webinars and seminars,’ Tabassum talking about this point said, adding, ‘they prepare us for everything by developing professional skills in us.’

Teaching Faculty and Student-Teacher Relationships

A teacher’s attitude is one of the biggest influences on a student’s growth. LUMS’ Chemistry and Chemical Engineering department has made sure to keep it positive and productive. ‘They are not only highly qualified researchers and lecturers but also amazing mentors for their students,’ a bachelor’s student said. She added, ‘we are often fascinated by the research areas of our professors and get motivated by them.’

Moreover, the head of the department carries a very good reputation among students. Tabassum is doing her final year research under his supervision. While talking about him, she said, ‘along with being an amazing professor and the only one of his name in the field, he is a very humble and generous man. He supports me in every decision that I take while conducting the research and encourages me to come up with new and more creative ideas.’

Along with the academic benefits that students receive, they are very happy about the committees that are there to deal with student issues. ‘There is a committee for everything. Whether it is our physical health, mental health, a harassment issue, or anything, we get it resolved by the respective management team very smoothly,’ a master’s student said.

This department offers all bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. programs in Chemistry and Chemical engineering. We did not hear any negative views about the facilities or management of this institute. We believe every university should try to provide its students with this research and teaching environment.

Read more: Best Scholarships for Pakistani Students

There are many paths to go and live your dream life abroad. It is just that not everyone knows how to knock on the right door. Talking about scholarships, they are difficult to achieve. It is simple and there is nothing to be disappointed about it. If you did not qualify for a scholarship or you do not think you have good grades to apply for, there are other opportunities for you to study abroad at an affordable fee.

They are low-tuition or no-tuition fee universities and places with relatively low living costs. Once you are there, you can work to make up for your living or maybe you can cover the expenses, as they are not very high. Usually, there are four best options for students. You can either look for the universities that have no tuition fees or the ones that have very low fees as compared to most universities. The third option is to look for universities that offer partial or full scholarships to international students. And the last option is the places that are affordable both in terms of education and living.

Tuition-free universities

There are many universities in the world that charge no tuition fees to students. You might have heard about Germany as a tuition-free destination. Yes, that’s true. The public universities in Germany charge no tuition even to international students. Don’t confuse them with the private universities as they have high tuition costs. However, many public universities offer completely free education. Moreover, many of them are also offering English-taught courses in multiple disciplines.

Not just Germany, there are other countries like Norway that offer free education to non-EU students. Other countries from the region have now introduced fees for international students. For example, Finland has a fee for graduate and undergraduate students but the Ph.D. program is still free like many other countries.

However, you should check the living cost of these countries before considering them. For example, Norway is known for its high cost of living.

Low-fee Universities

If you think you can afford the fee of the international colleges if it is not very high, this category is for you. Not many people know about them. They think they should either have a lot of money to invest in or free education. But there is this middle way of applying to universities that do not need you to empty your bank to study there.

For example, there are many universities in Austria that have less than 750 euros fee per semester. They usually demand you to pay the first-semester fee and then you are eligible to apply for a visa. France has the same fee for domestic and international students and is very reasonable.

Moreover, there are some universities in the USA that are way cheaper in terms of cost than most of the universities there. For example, the City University of New York has an annual tuition fee i.e. less than 18,000 dollars. And, Alcorn State University in Mississippi has less than 8000 dollars annual fee. However, these universities do not have a very good acceptance rate from international students so consider a plan B before applying. Also, the living cost in the respective area in the United States should be considered as it is not very cheap.

Universities that offer partial or full scholarships

If you are looking for highly-demanded international places to study at an affordable fee, that is possible too. Certain European universities, even after introducing a fee to their programs, offer partial scholarships or fee waivers to assist students in their studies. Sweden is one example of that. It offers many scholarships to international students in the form of partial or full fee waivers. It becomes very easy to support your studies. Also, the Ph.D. programs there are not only free but also paid. This means you receive a salary if you are a Ph.D. scholar there.

Likewise, many universities in the UK offer partial fee waivers to international students based on their academic achievements.

Affordable places for living and education

When you are planning to study abroad, one of the most important concerns is the affordability of the place that you are going to live at. Talking about European countries, France has a relatively low living cost. However, Paris is very expensive and still is the hub for many international students. It has been declared the world’s number one city for students as it has many opportunities for them.

In America, Mexico has a lower living cost as compared to other major cities. Hungary is another option that has both low fees and living costs. However, if you are interested in Asian countries, Taiwan is a good option both in terms of educational and living expenses.

Whatever option you choose for studying abroad needs your research and your suitability. So, start doing your homework, the right place is waiting for you.

Read more: Six countries that are the best for international students

Software engineering is in high demand both in Pakistan and abroad. So, more and more people are becoming interested in the field. Considering the rising demand, many universities have started offering undergraduate and graduate programs in the field. But not all of them offer quality degrees that promise a good future. No matter the job market for this degree is also huge but only the most skillful individuals are able to make a place. Because when there is more demand, there are also more graduates. So, you have to become a part of a big competition after your degree to get a good job. Which universities can equip you enough for that? Here is the list of the top ten universities in Pakistan that offer software engineering degrees and are producing quality graduates.

1. COMSATS

Established in 1998, COMSATS has very quickly made itself one of the top universities in Pakistan and also a recognized institute internationally. It has six campuses in different cities of Pakistan and all of them are offering courses in software engineering. Its Islamabad campus particularly is on the wish list of every student. It has ranked third by HEC in Pakistan and comes among the top 601-800 universities of the world according to The World Universities Ranking, 2021. It is offering both BS and MS programs in Software Engineering.

2. NU-FAST

National University-FAST (NU-FAST) also known as the National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (NUCES) is serving as a technology-centered educational institute in the five cities of Pakistan. Its campuses are in Lahore, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Karachi, and Islamabad. Reachable to many aspirants of computer education in the country, it is offering all BS, MS, and Ph.D. programs in Software Engineering.

3. GIKI

Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology is ranked among the top universities of Pakistan by HEC and among the top 800 institutes by The Time Higher Education in the World University Impact Rankings, 2021. It offers courses by Computer Engineering name and bachelors, masters, and Ph.D. degrees are available.

4. NED

Nadirshaw Eduljee Dinshaw University in Karachi is one of the oldest institutes serving in the field of technical education in the subcontinent. Founded in 1921, it has now become a big name for studying programs like computer sciences or software engineering. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate programs in computer education. Moreover, it has a lot of opportunities for doing research and practical work including AI lab, Networks lab, Project lab, and a center for software research and development (CSRD).

5. BUITEMS

Baluchistan University of Information Technology, Engineering, and Management Sciences in Quetta, though not very old, is one of the best universities in Pakistan. It has a research-intensive environment with a lab and excellent teaching facilities. Although, it offers only bachelor’s programs that are taught under the information and communication technology department.

6. NUST

NUST is again one of the best Pakistani institutes and has also earned a good ranking among World’s best universities. Its School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (SEECS) was founded in 1999 and is one of the most famous departments of the university. It is offering four years BS program in Software Engineering. However, master’s programs in related disciplines like AI and IT are also available.

7. UET Taxila 

UET Taxila also offers many research-based programs in computer sciences and technology. Since 1975, it has maintained its image as one of the recognized institutes providing quality technical education. All BS, MS, and PhD programs in Software Engineering are taught under the department of Telecommunication and Information Technology.

8. Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology

SSUET is also a recognized institute in technical education in Pakistan. It offers research-intensive degree programs in Software Engineering. Since 1993, it has been working to enhance the importance of technology and related educational degrees in Karachi. And now we see that happening. It offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the field.

9. ITU

Information technology university is one of the institutes that have earned a big name in modern technological education in a very short period. It is working to grow Pakistan by equipping students with the latest skills in computer engineering. It offers a BS program in the field. However, master’s degree programs in related degrees are available.

10. MUST 

Mirpur University of Science and Technology, AJK is offering bachelor’s and master’s programs in Software Engineering. This department is recognized as one of the best departments of the institute. It has worked a lot to provide students with all the research opportunities through the modern labs they have including the Development and Testing Lab, an Electronics Lab, and an Analysis and Design Lab.

It is great to see so many universities of Pakistan offering technical degree programs in different cities, whatever university you enroll in, make sure you get enough practical knowledge because software engineering is all about that. Good luck!

Other than top 10 universities to study software engineering in Pakistan, you can also read 20 international universities to consider for studying abroad