By Kritagya Regmi
15 August 2024: For the first time in its history, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has welcomed 30 young women from a single province in one academic session. These students, hailing from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan, have been awarded fully funded master’s scholarships under the gender component of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cities Improvement Project (KPCIP), an initiative supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The scholarships, established through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed on May 3, 2024, between AIT and KPCIP, represent a significant step forward in expanding educational and professional opportunities for women in the region. This initiative is designed to contribute to human resource development and improve urban infrastructure and service delivery in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 21 students arrived at the AIT campus on August 10 and the remaining will be here later this month.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Thailand, Her Excellency Rukhsana Afzaal, met the students on August 14 in the Embassy of Pakistan in Bangkok during the celebration of the 77th Independence Day of Pakistan. She expressed pride in their achievements and underscored the critical role of education in empowering women and fostering societal progress. Ambassador Afzaal highlighted that educating women is a smart investment in the future, as educated women are more likely to positively impact their families, communities, and economies.
The students, selected from a competitive pool of over 4,000 applicants across the province, have enrolled in various disciplines crucial to the development sector, as outlined in KPCIP’s Gender Action Plan. These fields include construction, engineering and infrastructure management, water engineering and management, data science and artificial intelligence, climate change and sustainable development, environmental engineering and management, development planning management and innovation, and urban innovation and sustainability.
“This educational initiative is a transformative step towards gender equality and empowerment in the region, aligning with global efforts to improve academic access and equality for all,” said Prof. Nitin Kumar Tripathi, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs at AIT. “Programs like this help generate women leaders, and AIT is proud to contribute to the region’s development. I am confident that the knowledge and skills these students will acquire at AIT will enable them to make significant contributions to Pakistan’s development upon their return.”
Mr. Dawood Khan, Secretary of the Local Government Elections and Rural Development Department, echoed these sentiments, stating, “This program, reserved exclusively for female candidates, reflects the government’s commitment to empowering women through higher education and professional development in critical fields. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader agenda to create equal opportunities for women in traditionally male-dominated sectors, enabling them to showcase their competence, resilience, and leadership capabilities.”
Mr. Khan also emphasized the importance of the multicultural environment at AIT for the professional growth and development of the scholars, expressing confidence in their ability to adapt and thrive in this diverse setting.
Mrs. Mahnaz Iftikhar, Director of Gender and Inclusion at PMU-KPCIP, stated that the scholars selected are among the best in their respective fields. “I am confident that their time at AIT and the knowledge they will gain will significantly enhance their academic and professional development. Their expertise will be invaluable to the country and the region. Furthermore, they will serve as an inspiration for girls aspiring to make a difference in various sectors, demonstrating that women are just as qualified as men for any field they choose to pursue.”
Dr. Sumana Shrestha, Director of the International Affairs Unit at the Office of International and Public Affairs (OIPA) at AIT, who initiated and coordinated this partnership from AIT, emphasized the enduring relationship between AIT and Pakistan and the significance of this scholarship program. She remarked, “AIT looks forward to a long-term collaboration with KPCIP, the Government of KP, and similar partnerships in other countries where human resource development is a priority.” Dr. Shrestha also highlighted that these scholarships provide individuals with the valuable opportunity to learn in an international environment, enhance their capacities, and equip themselves to tackle challenges both in their home country and on a global scale.
Upon their return, these scholars will serve as role models for other women, instilling confidence and self-belief in their abilities.
The arrival of these scholars marks more than just the beginning of an academic journey; it signals the start of a broader movement toward gender parity and empowerment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and beyond. As these women step into their roles as students and future leaders, they carry with them the hopes of a region ready to embrace progress and equality.
AIT and KPCIP officials are committed to ensuring that this program not only runs smoothly but also serves as a model for future initiatives aimed at empowering women through education. This is not just an academic milestone; it is a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to build a more equitable and inclusive world.
Prior to welcoming the students, a KPCIP delegation visited AIT on August 12 and met with several AIT officials to discuss the academic program and observe student welfare and support services. The delegation included Mr. Dawood Khan, Secretary of LGE&RDD, Mr. Syed Zafar Ali Shah, Project Director of PMU-KPCIP, Mrs. Mahnaz Iftikhar, Director of Gender and Inclusion at PMU-KPCIP, and Mr. Muhammad Shayan Azmat, Project Associate in the Department of Gender Inclusion at PMU-KPCIP. The delegation acknowledged AIT’s homely and multicultural environment and expressed confidence in the successful completion of the program. Discussions also focused on strengthening ongoing collaboration and exploring opportunities, with the aim of expanding the scholarship program in the future.
AIT officials included Mr. Russell Rein, Vice President for Administration; Prof. Sangam Shrestha, Dean of School of Engineering and Technology and Co-Director of Global Water and Sanitation Center; Prof. Abdul P. Salam, Dean of School of Environment, Resources and Development; Mr. Shawn Kelly, Executive Director, Office of International and Public Affairs (OIPA); Dr. Sumana Shrestha, Director, International Affairs, OIPA; Mr. Sanjeet Amatya, Director, Public Affairs, OIPA; Dr. Tenzin Rabgyal, Director of Office of Student Affairs; Ms. Indra Kumari, Senior Program Officer of International Affairs, OIPA and Ms. Sirima Sirimattayanan, Senior Program Officer of International Affairs, OIPA.
About KPCIP
KPCIP is designed to enhance the livability of five cities in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (KPK)—Abbottabad, Kohat, Mardan, Mingora, and Peshawar. This will be achieved by expanding physical investments in urban water, sewerage, solid waste disposal, and green infrastructure. Additionally, the project will provide institutional support to enhance service delivery and the performance of municipal companies. It also aims to promote gender-friendly municipal services through empowerment and capacity development. Approximately 3.5 million people in these cities will benefit from the project. This initiative aligns with the government’s development priorities, as outlined in the KPK Water Act (2020), the amended Local Government Act (2019), the Integrated Water Resource Management Strategy for KPK, and Pakistan’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
