Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport saw an unusual but heartening sight this week as 25 students from Sri Lanka arrived to begin their journey toward becoming doctors in Pakistan. The group has been awarded fully funded placements under the Allama Iqbal Scholarships for Sri Lankan Students, a programme aimed at strengthening academic ties between the two countries.
Officials were present at the airport to receive the students and assist them with immigration formalities and travel arrangements. From there, the group was guided through the next steps of their enrollment process, including documentation and coordination with their respective universities. For many of the students, it was their first time in Pakistan, and the welcome appeared both warm and carefully organized.
The scholarship falls under the broader Pak–Sri Lanka Higher Education Cooperation Programme, overseen by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. Authorities say the structure of the programme is designed to keep the selection process transparent and strictly merit-based. Candidates are shortlisted after a competitive evaluation, ensuring that only those who meet academic and eligibility standards are chosen.
The 25 students will pursue their MBBS degrees at well-established medical institutions, including Dow University of Health Sciences and Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences. Both universities are recognized by the Sri Lankan Medical Council, meaning graduates will be able to return home and practice medicine without complications related to accreditation. University officials confirmed that orientation sessions and academic support systems have been arranged to help the new arrivals adjust to campus life and academic expectations.
Education authorities described the initiative as a reflection of growing cooperation in higher education between Islamabad and Colombo. They believe such exchanges not only benefit individual students but also create long-term institutional links. Over time, these connections can lead to research collaboration, faculty exchanges, and broader educational partnerships.
The latest arrivals are part of a much larger group of Sri Lankan students already studying in Pakistan. More than 430 students from Sri Lanka are currently enrolled in various Pakistani universities under the same scholarship umbrella. While medicine remains a popular choice, others are pursuing degrees in engineering, business studies, natural sciences, and social sciences. Officials say the range of disciplines highlights the programme’s comprehensive scope.
The exchange is expected to expand further. Education officials confirmed that another 100 Sri Lankan students are scheduled to arrive in the coming weeks to join institutions across the country. Like the current batch, they have passed through a rigorous screening process to ensure fairness and academic merit.
For the students who landed this week, the next five years will be filled with lectures, clinical rotations, and long hours of study. But beyond textbooks and exams, the programme represents something larger, a bridge between two nations using education as common ground.
Authorities on both sides have expressed confidence that continued student mobility will deepen mutual understanding and strengthen ties in the years ahead.
About The Author
