Ph.D Scholarship Programme for Pakistani Nationals

In 2006 Norway was included as a country of destination for candidates in Pakistan’s Overseas Scholarship Scheme for Ph.D. in Selected Fields.

The scheme is financed and administrated by the Pakistani Higher Education Commission (HEC).

HEC has made funding available for an unspecified number of scholarships per year for Ph.D. students going to Norway. The scholarship is fully covered by HEC for a maximum of 60 months and includes funding for travel and subsistence in addition to other specified costs pertaining to the candidates’ stay at Norwegian institutions. In return, scholarship recipients undertake to return to Pakistan with a Ph.D.-degree at the end of the specified period, and to serve in Pakistan for a period of at least 5 years. Failure to return with a Ph.D.-degree, or to comply with any other of the requirements specified make it incumbent on the graduates to repay the scholarship.

Please note that SIU does not accept applications to this programme. All inquiries regarding admissions and submission of applications to the programme should be directed to HEC.

Aim
The stated aim of the programme is to improve Pakistan’s national research capacity. Scholarship recipients will follow Ph.D. programmes in a partner country in the following disciplines: such as engineering and technology, life sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, business education, arts and humanities. The scholarship programme currently includes the following countries: Australia, Austria, China, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, UK and the United States.

Selection procedures
The scholarship programme is advertised nationwide in Pakistan. Applications are subject to a two-tiered selection process:

First all applicants undergo a preliminary selection process in Pakistan, including scrutiny of academic credentials, language testing and GRE-type testing.
Then, on the basis of written tests, a select number of applicants are called for an interview.
The applicants are assessed against various criteria in order to form an opinion of their aptitude for Ph.D. studies, degree of motivation, presentation skills, confidence, relevancy of the research proposal, and possibilities to place them in Norwegian institutions. Interviews in the final selection round are conducted by SIU and HEC together. Final admission will be subject to rules and regulations governing higher education in Norway and remains the sole responsibility of Norwegian institutions.

SIU’s role
SIU acts as national programme office in Norway. This includes assistance with placement of qualified candidates, further contact with host institutions to ensure adequate welfare, required insurance, provide student counselling, monitoring of performance, make payments to the scholarship recipients and the host institutions, and make substantive and financial reports to HEC. If there are problems while scholarship recipients are studying, SIU can propose solutions and advise HEC accordingly.