STEM scholarships for women see 200% increase in applications

Applications for government-funded STEM scholarships targeting women have tripled compared to last year, reflecting a dramatic shift in career aspirations among Pakistani women. The surge in applications has been welcomed as a positive indicator of changing attitudes towards women in science and technology.

Applications Surge

The scholarship programme, which covers full tuition, living expenses and research funding for women pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, received over 45,000 applications this year, up from 15,000 last year. The most popular fields include computer science, electrical engineering and biotechnology.

The increase reflects not only growing awareness of the scholarships but also broader social change, as families increasingly support women's education in technical fields. Social media campaigns and successful alumnae role models have played an important role in encouraging applications.

Programme Impact

Since its launch, the programme has supported over 3,000 women in completing STEM degrees, with graduates going on to careers in technology companies, research institutions and government agencies. Alumnae have credited the programme with transforming their career prospects and challenging traditional gender norms.

The government has announced plans to expand the programme further, with a target of supporting 10,000 women in STEM fields by 2030.