Habib University and National Bank of Pakistan Partner to Fund Undergraduate Education
The four-year scholarship initiative will support talented young women across Pakistan, advancing access to higher education in STEM and the humanities.
Habib University and the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) have entered into a partnership to provide fully funded four-year undergraduate scholarships to 13 high-achieving female students from across Pakistan. The initiative will support young women pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as well as the humanities, helping them access educational opportunities that may otherwise be beyond their financial means.
The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Habib University’s Karachi campus on September 30, 2026. It brings together two institutions committed to investing in Pakistan’s human potential and expanding opportunities for women to pursue higher education.
At Habib University, access is an integral part of its educational mission. Since its inception in 2014, the University has invested more than USD 42 million in scholarships and financial aid, enabling talented students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to pursue a rigorous undergraduate education. The NBP initiative extends this commitment through targeted support for female scholars, with opportunities spanning both STEM disciplines and the humanities.
A Partnership Built on a Shared Commitment
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Wasif Rizvi, Founding President of Habib University, commended NBP’s leadership and its commitment to supporting higher education. He noted that corporate investment in education could encourage other institutions in Pakistan’s financial and corporate sectors to contribute to expanding educational opportunities.
“We see this milestone as the beginning of an impactful, enduring partnership,” he said.
Mr. Naved A. Khan, Chairman of the National Bank of Pakistan, reflected on his longstanding ties with the University’s founders and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and the liberal arts. “I am particularly delighted that we are partnering in the liberal arts. We produce many MBAs, doctors, and engineers, but we have forgotten the liberal arts.”
He also emphasized the importance of supporting women and preparing them to meet the challenges of the contemporary world.
“More importantly, nothing like supporting the women in this country who truly deserve to be supported, to be nurtured and to be groomed to come into the real world a lot more equipped with today’s challenges.”
Investing in the Potential of Pakistan’s Youth
Mr. Tariq Rafi, Chair of the Resource Development Committee, Habib University Foundation, signed the MoU on behalf of the University and commended NBP’s commitment to expanding access to higher education.
Mr. Mohamedali R. Habib, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Habib University Foundation, expressed appreciation for the bank’s support and highlighted the value of partnerships in sustaining the University’s educational mission. “With partners of such caliber, our team can remain completely focused on delivering standards while ensuring deserving youth across Pakistan have access to excellence,” he said.
The ceremony brought together Habib University’s leadership, academic deans, faculty and students, alongside a senior NBP delegation that included Mr. Asim Baig, Group Chief HR, and Ms. Saman Abbasi, EVP and Division Head.