ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The government of Pakistan has requested China to grant 10,000 PhD scholarships to Pakistani students at the top 25 Chinese universities.
The initiative is aimed at training the youth in emerging technologies and is supporting the modernization of the country’s economy under CPEC.
Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal said that the request was put up before the Chinese officials during the last meeting of the Joint Cooperation Committee.
China, according to him, showed interest and asked for further details.
Under the plan, Pakistan desires scholarships in subjects like artificial intelligence, engineering, and other advanced sciences over the next ten years.
Such scholarships would give CPEC strength on its “softer” side by building human capital for a knowledge-driven economy, added Iqbal.
Another proposal envisages vocational training programs, youth innovation centers, and internships in Chinese companies for equipping the Pakistani youth with skills in the realm of technology, industry, and green growth.
Russian Fully-Funded Scholarships
Earlier, the Russian Government announced fully-funded scholarships for Pakistani students to study at top universities of Russia at Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD levels.
This would not only strengthen the educational ties between the two countries but also the cultural ones.
Russia is indeed the country’s longtime partner in academic collaboration and has annually provided hundreds of scholarships to boost the exchange of education internationally.
This year’s program follows the same legacy to contribute toward providing access to globally recognized institutions for engineering, medicine, science, and humanities students of Pakistan.
The scholarship will cover tuition fees and provide a monthly allowance, but the students have to bear the travel and living expenses themselves.
The application period closes on January 15, 2026, and applications should be submitted via the official portal: www.education-in-russia.com.
Russian House, Karachi, is the only organization that deals with nominations from Pakistan. Up to six universities can be chosen in one’s application, and verified academic and personal documents as per degree requirements have to be uploaded.
The admission process involves assessing the academic performance of candidates, portfolios, and specific field tests for creative or physical ability.
The applicants who cleared the initial process will later provide medical and translation documents that are attested by the Russian Consulate.
In the last couple of months, many other countries like the US, UK, and Japan have also declared educational opportunities for Pakistani students, reflecting a growing global recognition of Pakistan’s young academic talent.
