hinese Ambassador Sun Weidong inaugurated the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship for undergraduate and MPhil Students at the School of Politics and International Relations (SPIR), Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Islamabad.

A memorandum of understanding was signed in this regard by the Chinese ambassador and QAU Vice Chancellor Dr Javed Ashraf.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Weidong said the scholarship worth $29,500 was the `first of its kind` offered by the Chinese Embassy to students of a public sector university in Pakistan. In an academic year, ten selected students enroIIed in the under-graduate and MPhil degree programs will receive an amount of Rs.150,000 each on need and merit basis.

The scholarship was established with an aim to help QAU students facing financial difficulties to finish their studies and promote academic exchanges between the two countries.

Addressing the students and faculty, the Chinese ambassador said that Pakistan and China are iron brothers and both countries has always trusted and supported each other. He said the friendship of both countries is deeply rooted in the hearts of its people.

`This friendship has entered a new stage with CPEC under which 17 major projects have been started across the country.

These projects would bring a major change in the socio economic development of Pakistan, offering enormous employment opportunities and fulfilling the dreams of the skilled youth,` he added.

Earlier, SPIR Director Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad welcomed the ambassador and briefed him about the department. He said the school is developing academic links with Chinese universities while the department is also developing the curriculum for teaching Chinese.

Vice Chancellor Dr. Ashraf thanked the ambassador for selecting Quaid-i-Azam University to establish the ambassador scholarship.