SWABI: In a landmark step toward fostering academic excellence and equitable access to education for talented and needy students, the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology and a leading company have established a One-Chair Endowment Fund worth Rs10 million.

A ceremony to this effect was held here on Wednesday, attended by Eng Salim Saifullah Khan, president of GIK Institute`s parent body Society for Promotion of Engineering Sciences and Technology in Pakistan (SOPREST), and others.

The signing of agreement underscores a shared commitment to empowering Pakistan`s youth through merit-based scholarships and advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The endowment fund will be invested and its income will be utilised to provide an annual scholarship to outstanding students, enabling them to pursue cuttingedge engineering and technology education at GIK Institute.

This initiative, undertaken with the efforts of the GIK Alumni Association, aligns with Pakistan`s national development agenda and global sustainability targets, emphasising the critical role of education in driving socioeconomic progress.

On the occasion, Salim Saifullah said: `This partnership is a great gesture and exemplifies our vision to nurture talent and innovation. By bridging industry, alumni, and academia, we are not only investing in individuals but in the future of Pakistan.

Safiuddin, chief technology officer of the company, reaffirmed the company`s dedication to social responsibility: `Education is the cornerstone of progress. Through this endowment, we aim to create pathways for deserving students to thrive in engineering fields, who otherwise can`t afford to study in the educational institutions like GIKI.

The beneficiaries will ultimately contribute to Pakistan`s technological advancement. Correspondent