NWFP Governor Owais presides over FATA Education Foundation meeting F.P. Report
PESHAWAR: A meeting to discuss the affairs of FATA Education Foundation was held under the chairmanship of NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani here at Governor's House on Wednesday, which decided to constitute an Adhoc Committee to oversee the affairs of the Foundation till the constitution of regular Board of Directors. Additional Chief Secretary FATA Habibullah Khan, Secretary to Governor Arbab Muhammad Arif, Secretary A&C Kazim Niaz and Director Education FATA Fazal Manan attended the meeting whereas MD FATA Education Foundation Ahmed Shukaib Sahibzada gave a presentation on the aims and objectives, activities and programs of the Foundations besides making certain recommendations to achieve the objectives in letter and spirit. The meeting held detailed discussion on the role of the Foundation in the FATA education sector and maintained that it should work to supplement and augment the existing activities of the education department FATA. Through a presentation the meeting was informed that the Foundation was established in Dec. 2004 with the objective of promoting literacy, extending outreach and introducing quality education for both genders in FATA. Regarding activities initiated by the Foundation, the meeting was told that the foundation had offered 150 scholarships worth Rs. 1.5 million to poor and deserving students of FATA studying in Islamia College Peshawar and 10 other professional Universities and Institutions. The Foundation actively participated in facilitating admission of and granting stipends to 100 students of FATA. The Foundation has also launched its own website. On a point, the meeting was informed that Higher Education Commission has approved a RS. 900 million, higher education scholarship program for FATA and Baluchistan, which will take effect from the current financial year. The selection of students for this scholarship program will be made in consultation with FATA Secretariat. The Governor emphasized an effective and dynamic supportive role for the Foundation saying that it should work for promotion of non-formal education, adult literacy, joint ventures with the private sectors and scholarship programs. He appreciated the Foundation's contribution in provision of scholarships to the deserving students, particularly its role in placement of 100 poor and talented students in the reputed educational institution of the province. He approved the constitution of Adhoc Committee, which would be immediately notified and its first meeting called soon to decide on certain issues raised in the meeting.
