Karachi, February 20, 2025 — In a landmark move to advance gender equity in higher education, Habib University has launched the Amtul Hafiz Habibullah Scholarship Fund. Established by Ashraf Habibullah, a world-renowned structural engineer and founder of Computers and Structures, Inc. (CSI), the fund is designed to empower women in Pakistan to pursue higher education in both STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and humanities. Named in honor of his mother, an esteemed educator, this scholarship embodies a profound commitment to transforming Pakistan’s educational landscape.
The scholarship fund will support a total of 50 women scholars at all times—25 in STEM fields and 25 in humanities—by providing 100% tuition coverage for undergraduate programs at Habib University. This initiative aims to break down financial barriers that prevent talented women from accessing quality education and making meaningful contributions to society.
Addressing the Gender Gap in STEM and Humanities
Globally, women continue to be underrepresented in STEM fields, limiting their potential contributions to technological and economic progress. In South Asia, societal norms, financial challenges, and limited access to quality education further exacerbate this disparity. According to the World Bank’s 2025 report, Engendering Access to STEM Education and Careers in South Asia, the “leaky pipeline” phenomenon remains a significant challenge, with female participation decreasing at each stage of education and workforce entry.
In Pakistan, while women constitute 44% of higher education enrollment, their presence in engineering and technology programs drops to just 12%, with 25% representation in computing fields. Meanwhile, the humanities face their own set of challenges, with limited financial support and societal pressure steering women away from these disciplines.
Yet, investing in the humanities is just as critical as funding STEM. Programs such as Social Development and Policy, Comparative Humanities, and Communication and Design at Habib University cultivate professionals in media, civil service, research, education, academic administration, and leadership—fields that remain male-dominated. Women’s underrepresentation in these spaces shapes how they are portrayed in media and public discourse. A 2024 article in Nature, The Specific Visuality of Women of the Global South in the Media of the Global North, highlights how mainstream narratives often stereotype women from the Global South as faceless factory workers, exotic brides, or a serving class, reinforcing intersectional inequalities of race, class, and gender. By increasing women’s presence in humanities disciplines, the Amtul Hafiz Habibullah Scholarship Fund seeks to heal this landscape—challenging these representations, repairing systemic imbalances, and enabling women to redefine discourse and policy.
Ashraf Habibullah: Revolutionizing Structural Engineering
Ashraf Habibullah, the visionary behind this scholarship, is one of the world’s leading structural engineers. As the founder and president of Computers and Structures, Inc. (CSI), he has transformed the field of structural engineering with software solutions that have been instrumental in the design of iconic structures worldwide. His contributions to engineering have underscored the importance of diversity and inclusion in STEM.
During the dedication ceremony at Habib University, Ashraf Habibullah emphasized the vital role of women in shaping Pakistan’s future. “This scholarship is a tribute to my mother’s strong belief in the power of education to transform lives. By supporting women in both STEM and humanities, we are investing in a more inclusive and progressive Pakistan,” he stated.
A Tribute to a Legacy of Education
The scholarship is named in honor of Mrs. Amtul Hafiz Habibullah, a distinguished educator who earned her MA in Mathematics from Osmania University in Hyderabad Deccan and pursued a PhD in Mathematics in London. Although she could not complete her doctorate, she dedicated decades of her life to teaching mathematics at St. Joseph’s College and PECHS School in Karachi, inspiring generations of students. Her legacy of academic excellence and her commitment to education live on through this scholarship.
Speakers at the ceremony highlighted Mrs. Amtul Hafiz Habibullah’s extraordinary contributions to education and her enduring legacy. The event brought together students, faculty, and distinguished guests who emphasized the importance of dismantling systemic barriers that hinder women’s access to higher education.
Habib University’s Commitment to Inclusive Education
The Amtul Hafiz Habibullah Scholarship Fund aligns with Habib University’s broader mission to create an inclusive and transformative educational environment. By providing scholarships to 25 women in STEM and 25 in humanities, the fund seeks to balance the scales of opportunity, ensuring that women can pursue their passions in diverse fields. Investing in both STEM and the humanities enables women not only to excel in technical and scientific domains but also to lead in shaping societal narratives, policymaking, and representation in the public sphere.
