PEEF(The Punjab Educational Endowment Fund)

NEWSLETTER

July - September 2018, Vol. 08 Issue 03

Meetings Page 3Pre-Departure Training of PhD Scholars Page 5

Training Workshops at YDC, Murree Page 6Success Stories Page 7& 8

INSIDE

Leaders at LUMS

The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) has introduced a series of talks under the umbrella of Leaders at LUMS. Leaders at LUMS serve as a platform for thought leaders and visionaries to share their

real life stories, personal and professional achievements as well as their approach to overcome challenges. Dr. Kamran Shams, CEO – Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF), was hosted by the LUMS Development Team, the sixth in a series of events titled, Leaders at LUMS. Continued on Page 2

2

A stimulating and awe-inspiring session by Dr. Kamran

Shams, CEO – Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF), was hosted by the LUMS Development Team, the sixth in a series of events titled, Leaders at LUMS.Mr. Adeel Hashmi, the famous media personality and moderator of the session, opened the discussion by asking about PEEF, to which Dr. Shams replied, “I have at least 3,00,000 success stories and I can recall that a son of a person who is a worker at TEVTA, is now Assistant Engineer at NEDC. He has worked towards an engineering degree with support of PEEF from UET.”He added that PEEF is an organization that is process driven and strictly works on documented policies. He talked about the transparent procedures and governance systems

at the organization and attributed it to 100% automation, data-driven model where there is an electronic transfer of payments with strict external and internal audits being conducted on a regular basis. He added that PEEF offers scholarships to students from Matric to PhD for studying in top 50 universities according to QS rankings. Syed Babar Ali, Pro-Chancellor LUMS, in his closing remarks thanked the honorable guest for the wonderful discussion and told the audience that there literally is no age limit to learning. The reason I am here is to learn from Dr. Shams what I can do better tomorrow.” The session concluded with Syed Babar Ali presenting a commemorative shield to Dr. Shams.

3

PEEF’s Boards of Directors Meeting

PEEF 29th BoD Meeting was held on August 3, 2018. Justice (R) Aamer Raza Khan (Chairman PEEF) chaired the meeting. During the meeting, CEO PEEF Dr. Kamran Shams briefed the participants regarding on

going PEEF assignments and activities. 3rd Quarterly accounts (Jan-Mar 2018) were presented and approved. Beside this Annual Budget 2018-19 were also discussed and hence approved by the board members.

PEEF Audit Committee Meeting

31st Audit Committee meeting of PEEF was convened under the convenership of Ms. Nusrat Jamil, Member BoD/Convener Audit committee. Meeting was held on 22nd June, 2018 and comprised of two sessions. In first session, exclusive meeting was arranged with the external auditors ‘Ernest & Young (EY) Ford Rhodes, Chartered Accountants’. In this session, scope of audit along with timeline of annual budget for the FY 2018-19 was discussed.In the second session, 3rd quarterly accounts (Jan ‘17-Mar ‘17) and Internal

Audit reports were presented. The chair recommended the recommendations of both Internal and External auditors to the Board of Directors’ (BoD) for final approval.

4

6th PEEF Merit Scholarships Consultative Meeting

6th Consultative meeting of committee on PEEF Merit

Scholarships was held on August 3, 2018. Dr. Amjad Saqib, Vice Chairman PEEF, presided over the meeting. CEO PEEF, Dr. Kamran Shams began the meeting with the overview of PEEF Merit Scholarships Program. He presented the update and progress of PEEF Merit Scholarships. Minutes of the 5th consultative meeting along with some internal and external issues related to scholarship methodology were also discussed.

PEEF Budget Committee Meeting

13th Budget Committee meeting of PEEF was held at PEEF office on 29th June, 2018. Vice Chairman PEEF Dr. Amjad Saqib chaired the meeting. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) PEEF Dr. Kamran Shams briefed the committee regarding ongoing and future expenses of the company. Beside this, Annual Budget 2018-19 was presented and approved by the Budget committee. The meeting concluded with the note of thanks. to the participants.

5

Pre Departure Training of PEEF Merit Scholarship Program for PhDPEEF Merit scholars’ pre-departure training was held

at Youth Development Centre (YDC), Murree. This training was held by PEEF for initial orientation of the selected foreign scholars.These scholars will obtain their higher education in foreign universities for PhD, under the PEEF Merit Scholarships Program 2018.The core objective of this training session was to train the scholars in such a way that they will continue their studies without any hassle owing to minimizing the cultural issues. Furthermore, this training will also support the scholars to cope with the personal, professional and social challenges they might face during the study.

Overseas Pakistanis Foundation Scholarship Program in collaboration with PEEF

Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) has launched Scholarship program in collaboration with the Punjab

Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF).Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), has allocated Rs. 30 million in the current fiscal year for the scholarships of the children of Overseas Pakistanis.Scholarships were being awarded to the students of Intermediate, Graduation and Masters’ Level and for those students who were studying in all professional colleges and universities.The Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF) will provide technical assistance for OPF scholarship program. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between two parties earlier in this year .

6

Training Workshops at YDC, MurreeThe Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF) organized 7 training workshops. These training workshops held in the month of June, July and August at Youth Development Centre (YDC), Murree.Total 141 PEEF Scholars took active part in these training workshops. Summary of training workshops are given below:

Summary of Training Workshops• Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education (BISE), Rawalpindi; 12 Scholars (2nd June - 4th June)

•Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education (BISE), Gujranwala; 18 Scholars (11th June - 13th June)

•Punjab Welfare Trust for The Disabled (PWTD), Lahore; 12 Scholars (21st July - 22nd July)

• Entrepreneurial Skills Development Workshop (ESDW); 39 Scholars (26th July - 28th July)

• IBA Karachi (Sindh Talent Hunt Program); 23 Scholars (6th August - 9th August)

• PEEF Merit Scholarships Program for Foreign Scholars Development Workshop; 23 Scholars (12th August - 14th August)

• PWTD (DWAF, Lahore); 14 Scholars (18th August-19th August)

Comments from the Participants:-• Thanks to PEEF which provide us such a knowledgeable atmosphere at YDC.. (Fatima Babar, Rawalpindi)• Training sessions at YDC has sharpened my entrepreneurial skills. (Ismail Dummar, Hernai)• I salute to Punjab Government and PEEF for taking such an education friendly initiative like YDC. (Aurangzaib Durrani, Karachi

7

I am Suman Saeed, daughter of a paint seller. I am the youngest amongst my four siblings. Being the only

sister of my three elder brothers, my teenage life was not a bed of roses. Since my childhood, my family dreamt that I may accomplish my goals in life by attaining higher education. But to manage educational expenses along with household expenses must be a troublesome task for an ordinary shop keeper.

My father left no stone unturned to provide quality education to his children and my mother supported him a lot in every thick and thin. I scored good grades in Matriculation. Since I was good in ‘Pure Sciences’; I continue my studies in a private college for FSc (Pre-Medical) and scored 94% in my Intermediate. My family was very happy because of my success. It was my wish that I become doctor. Owing to achieve my wish I attempted ‘Medical Colleges Admission Test (MCAT)’; but could not score high for admission in medical college. I saw my dream drowning in deep gallows.

My family motivated me and I decided to continue my studies in the field of Biological Sciences other than MBBS. I searched for different institution owing to quench my thirst for knowledge. Luckily, course outline of BSc. (Hons.) in Biology at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) suited my mental capability. I decided to get admission there. But, Alas! my family’s financial position was not sound enough that they spend ample money for my education; especially at LUMS as it enlists in one of the worthy but expensive institutes of Pakistan.

My mental stress was increasing day by day, that how I talk to my father regarding admission in LUMS. But, I knew that words fitly spoken are like apples of gold in pictures of silver. So I discussed with my father regarding my studies quite courageously. Somehow or other; my father took some loan from someone and I

SUMAN SAEEDBSc (Hons.) BiologyLahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Lahoreenrolled for BSc. (Hons.) in Biology at LUMS. During initial days at LUMS, I came to know from ‘Office of Financial Aid’ of university that LUMS is enlisted as a Center of Excellance for undergraduate external scholarships of the Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF). It has quota for deserving and talented students.

Without wasting time, I applied for PEEF scholarships and a day of cherish and joy came for me and my family’s life when I was selected for PEEF scholarship. It was undoubtedly an immense sigh of relief financially for my father. My family and I salute Government of the Punjab and PEEF for contributing at their best to spread education through financial assistance for deserving and talented students.

SUCCESS STORIES “Every eye has million dreams. But it is not compulsory that their dreams come true”.

8

“Son of a labourer, will become labourer too”; pinched my emotions when someone pointed my fate. I am Muhammad Anser from a village Rohailanwali, district Muzaffargarh. My father is a labourer. Being the eldest among my 5 siblings, I have to set example being good in studies for my younger ones. It is my luck that I am good in studies since childhood. Like others, my parents wished too that their children will achieve success in studies.

I scored average marks in Matriculation. I faced difficulties getting admission in a government college. So, I got admission in a private college to pursue my studies in FSc (Pre-Medical). There was a major question that how my father will manage expenses for a private college; as other siblings were studying too. For this my father took loan from someone so that he may manage expenses with financial ease. I continued my study with leaps and bounds and succeeded with excellent percentage in my Intermediate.

Beside this, I also attained remarkable grades in Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This paved way to the success and opened the horizons for my ultimate goal to become a doctor. Luckily, I got admission in Allama Iqbal Medical College (AIMC). My family was very happy with me on my success. Financial hurdles still entangled my way. I was worried about this situation.

But one day, when I returned back from college my mother handed over me an envelope; I open it and skimmed the letter. The moment of joy and immense pride hold my nerves as I was selected for the Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF) Scholarship on truly merit basis. PEEF became helping hands

DR. MUHAMMAD ANSARMBBS, Allama Iqbal Medical College (AIMC), Lahore

financially for my family as I managed expenses other than college fees.

My parents and I salute to Government of the Punjab and PEEF team for providing financial assistance to the talented and deserving students. It is my wish to serve the nation and create awareness among the people of my village the worth of education without gender discrimination.

“The moment of joy and immense pride hold my nerves as I was selected for the Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF) Scholarship ”