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Oxford University’s Pakistan Programme (OPP) has announced a new scholarship initiative to support talented students from South Punjab, one of Pakistan’s most underdeveloped regions. The Tareen Oxford Scholarship, made possible with the support of Ali Tareen, an alumnus of Kellogg College, will provide means-tested funding for Pakistani students with a preference for those from South Punjab. The scholarship will be awarded to students who have an offer of admission to eligible graduate courses at Kellogg College, but lack the financial means to take up the offer.
The Tareen Oxford Scholarship is part of OPP’s broader graduate scholarship programme, which awards at least three scholarships annually to talented Pakistani and British Pakistani students. The programme aims to promote educational opportunities and foster a more diverse and inclusive academic community at Oxford. With the addition of the Tareen Oxford Scholarship, OPP hopes to make a significant contribution to uplifting talented young scholars from South Punjab.
The scholarship will provide support for tuition fees and living costs and will be established as a five-year programme, with funds being donated annually and disbursed on a rolling basis. Preference will be given to students for whom the scholarship will be a life-changing opportunity and who have the potential and commitment to contribute to the development of South Punjab.
In addition to the scholarship, the programme will consist of two initiatives to support students from South Punjab in accessing and excelling in higher education. Firstly, an access programme for final year students applying for graduate degrees will feature an Access Conference for final year students from South Punjab who are in the process of applying for MSc and PhD degrees abroad. The top 20 attendees at the Access Conference will be offered one-on-one mentorship with an Oxford student or recent alumni, free of cost. This initiative aims to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to apply successfully to graduate programmes and help them achieve their academic goals.
Secondly, for FSc toppers and first-year public sector university toppers, 100 students will be selected from South Punjab who have either topped their FSc. boards or obtained the highest marks in their first year at university. These students will be provided mentorship on how to make the most of their next three to four years, guidance on career prospects, and one-on-one mentorship to help them aspire to be the best minds globally.
Overall, the Tareen Oxford Scholarship and the broader OPP graduate scholarship programme represent a major investment in the future of Pakistan’s students, particularly those from underrepresented regions like South Punjab. By providing access to education and support for academic success, OPP hopes to create a more diverse and inclusive academic community at Oxford while also making a positive impact on Pakistan’s development.
