Diplomatic Correspondent: A batch of 42 Bangladeshi students has left Dhaka for Pakistan to pursue higher education under the second phase of the Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor scholarship programme.

The students were seen off at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider. They have been awarded fully funded Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships to pursue undergraduate, master’s and PhD programmes at leading Pakistani universities.

The scholarship programme is part of an initiative aimed at promoting educational exchanges and strengthening people-to-people ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Speaking to the students before their departure, High Commissioner Imran Haider wished them success in their academic pursuits. He expressed the hope that the students would make the most of the educational opportunities and contribute to the development and bright future of Bangladesh after completing their studies.

The High Commissioner also said the students could play an important role in strengthening ties between the peoples of the two countries, describing them as a potential bridge between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

The latest group is the second batch of Bangladeshi students to benefit from the scholarship initiative. Last year, 74 Bangladeshi students travelled to Pakistan under the first phase of the programme and joined leading Pakistani universities.

Under the second phase, students will undertake studies at different academic levels, ranging from undergraduate programmes to postgraduate and doctoral studies. As the scholarships are fully funded, the selected students will receive financial support for their studies in Pakistan.

The departure of the 42 students marks another step in the growing academic exchange between the two South Asian countries. For the students and their families, the programme also represents an opportunity to gain international academic experience and exposure to a different educational and cultural environment.

The scholarship initiative is expected to provide the participating Bangladeshi students with opportunities to develop academic and professional skills while creating new links between educational institutions and young people of Bangladesh and Pakistan.

With the second phase now under way, a total of 116 Bangladeshi students have travelled to Pakistan through the two phases of the scholarship programme, based on the figures announced for the first and second batches.