Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) Plans To Institutionalize Science Talent Farming Scheme

Considering the effectiveness of the innovative Science Talent Farming Scheme (STFS), Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) is endeavoring to institutionalize this project to make it a permanent component of the department, working under Ministry of Science and Technology

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Oct, 2018 ) :Considering the effectiveness of the innovative Science Talent Farming Scheme (STFS), Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) is endeavoring to institutionalize this project to make it a permanent component of the department, working under Ministry of Science and Technology.

Talking to APP, Project Director, STFS, Dr. Ahsan Feroz said, "We aspire to make this project a permanent feature of PSF considering the overwhelming response from the students so that no once can discontinue this programme".

He said the talented students showed passion towards Science education and wish to adopt scientific career were selected and groomed under this scheme to become future eminent scientists.

He said the scheme, offering scholarships for talented science students after completion of Secondary school Certificate, had so far benefited around 900 students during three of its batches while the fourth batch announced recently would accommodate 300 students.

This scheme is benefiting a number of students of pure government schools, since its inception, through providing them an opportunity to get science education at Higher Secondary School level in the top notch universities and colleges of the country.

He said PSF had also distributed laptops among the students of two of the batches.

About the criteria of selection for participation in this programme, Dr. Ahsan revealed that the students from government sector institutions and having 60 percent overall marks and 70 percent in science subjects were eligible to apply in this scheme.

The students are selected through following a Federal quota system and are required to qualify a Science Aptitude test and a paper-based IQ test and presentation on an innovative idea.

The students were given monthly stipend of Rs 10,000, study visit opportunity to Science and technology Organizations, universities and labs, he added.

The students are also given opportunity to display their innovative creations at the science fairs arranged at nine selected universities and they are given consolation prizes and incentives for encouragement and motivation.

Dr. Ahsan revealed that a web portal "Learning Management System" would be launched by November to ensure children access to the self explanatory scientific information.

This information is being gathered with the help of mentors and university teachers in this field.

The scheme was earlier limited to few provinces, however, this year the students from FATA and Balochistan could also apply for it, he added.

Dr. Ahsan informed that the admissions for fourth batch were advertised in the start of October and the last date to apply for the students was October 23.

However, the last date for applying will be extended to facilitate maximum number of students who can at least applies in the scheme.

The date was being extended to make this talent hunting more viable through selecting outstanding students from a large number of applicants, Dr. Ahsan said.