By The World Ambassador TWA ______ The Pakistan High Commission in Colombo, in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, held the Allama Iqbal Scholarship Award distribution ceremony on October 30. Named after Allama Muhammad Iqbal, one of the greatest philosophers and visionaries known as the “Poet of the East,” this scholarship honours Iqbal’s profound thoughts and unwavering commitment to education. The Allama Iqbal scholarship programme, for deserving Sri Lankan students, was initiated in 2019. This year, for the 6th batch of the programme, 200 fully funded scholarships have been awarded. Currently, around 500 students are pursuing academic degrees at the graduate, postgraduate, and PhD levels. The next intake is scheduled to start in February 2025, says press note. High Commissioner of Pakistan, Maj. Gen. (R) Faheem Ul Aziz, HI (M), remarked that awarding these scholarships to Sri Lankan students is a testament to the strong brotherly relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He urged the students to embrace this opportunity with determination and resilience, stating, “As you pursue your studies, remember that you are ambassadors of your country and your culture. Engage with your peers, share your experiences, and be a bridge between our nations. The knowledge and understanding you gain will be invaluable as we work together to address the challenges we face in our ever-changing world.” General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), was the Chief Guest of the event, which was attended by prominent personalities from various fields, including business, academia, and government. The Chief Guest, along with the High Commissioner and other notable dignitaries, distributed the scholarship awards among the students.