At Habib University, we are redefining philanthropy for undergraduate education in Pakistan, breaking down barriers to ensure that quality education is accessible to meritorious students from all backgrounds. The University has received strong support from local and global communities, particularly the North American diaspora. This support, combined with partnerships with top-tier institutions, has been crucial in advancing Habib University’s mission of transforming education in Pakistan.
Transforming Educational Philanthropy in Pakistan
The undergraduate educational landscape in Pakistan has faced significant challenges over the years, particularly in the areas of quality, accessibility, and affordability. Most philanthropic efforts in the country are traditionally directed towards a few key sectors, such as primary education, healthcare, or social welfare, resulting in a neglect of higher education. Due to this, higher education institutions face financial constraints that limit their ability to offer scholarships, improve infrastructure, and invest in advanced research and qualified faculty.
To address these gaps, Habib University is raising awareness about the potential of philanthropy in Pakistan and creating a sense of community ownership towards higher education. We combine liberal arts, innovative pedagogy, and research-driven faculty to offer world-class undergraduate education that is accessible and affordable for students.
Through the generous support of our Mohsineen, we offer scholarships and financial aid to ensure that meritorious students have equal access to world-class education despite their financial backgrounds. Our scholarships include:
- Distinguished Yohsin Scholarships: Full scholarships for top students, the highest honor at Habib University.
- Habib Excellence Scholarships: Cover 60% to 80% of tuition and fees for highly meritorious students.
- Habib Merit Scholarships: Cover 20% to 50% of tuition and lab fees for students with strong academic records.
Notably, 87% of the students from the Class of 2024 have received some kind of scholarship or financial aid to support their undergraduate education.
Shaping Futures Through Education Philanthropy
On the evening of May 28, 2024, Habib University celebrated a decade of transforming education and philanthropic efforts in the “Shaping Futures, Reshaping Philanthropy” President’s Dinner. The dinner was hosted by Mr. Wasif Rizvi to congratulate the graduating Class of 2024 and acknowledge the support of the Mohsineen for their unwavering support towards Habib University’s mission.
During the honorary dinner event, Mr. Rizvi extended a heartfelt thanks to the Mohsineen who continue to contribute to the ongoing success and accomplishments of the University, “We collectively express our deepest gratitude to all the Mohsineen who have supported 87% of the students in the Class of 2024”.
The evening included a special acknowledgment of Shahbaz Yasin Malik, CEO of Hilton Pharma. His generous support, particularly through the HU TOPS program, has provided 100% scholarships to a total of 22 students from the Class of 2024.
Rafiq M Habib, President of Habib Bank AG Zurich, also expressed gratitude to the Mohsineen and supporters for their dedication to higher education in Pakistan, “I’m blown away by the presence of brilliance and talent in this room, and the generosity of spirit and soul.”
Redefining Philanthropy Webinar
On June 2nd, 2024, Habib University organized a webinar titled “Shaping Futures, Reshaping Philanthropy” recognizing the generosity of its global community of Mohsineen and the accomplishments of the Class of 2024.
The webinar was moderated by Dr. Nauman Naqvi, Associate Professor of Comparative Humanities at Habib University, and invited the Mohsineen, faculty members, and students from the graduating batch of 2024.
During the webinar, Mr. Rizvi highlighted the integral role of the Mohsineen in the university community and expressed gratitude for their continued support. He emphasized the transformative impact of education philanthropy in providing access to quality higher education, as exemplified by the graduated batch.
The webinar included panel discussions with notable Mohsineen, including Rafiq Mohammadi, Data Scientist, Entrepreneur, and Co-Founder of I-Manage, and Shazeen Jhaver, CEO of Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization. These leading community members offered words of encouragement to the graduating class and stressed the importance of institutions like Habib University in providing meaningful undergraduate experiences.
Qaima Hossain and Areeb Adnan Khan represented the Class of 2024 in the webinar. Qaima, the valedictorian, shared how her experience of studying Comparative Humanities at Habib University profoundly shaped her views, passion, and commitment to further education, leading her to pursue a PhD at Stanford University.
Meanwhile Areeb, recipient of the Yoshin Medal, also expressed his gratitude for the opportunities provided by the HU TOPS program. He shared how this support culminated in his capstone project IntellicropPK being presented at COP28 UAE, the United Nation’s 28th annual climate conference.
Watch the full webinar here.
