The Sindh government has decided to modernize its scholarship system by moving it online and reviewing the number of scholarship seats at existing universities to help more deserving students within the available budget.
The decision was announced during a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Sindh Educational Endowment Fund (SEEF) Trust, chaired by Sindh Secretary for College Education Nadeem Memon.
During the meeting, the committee approved a series of reforms. These include preparing an investment policy, appointing a third-party audit firm, developing a Smart Portal for scholarship management, adding new educational institutions to the Trust’s panel, and reviewing scholarship allocations at existing universities.
The committee agreed to set up a panel of financial experts to draft the Trust’s investment policy.
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Memon directed officials to ensure that investment decisions are made in line with relevant laws, government policies, by-laws, and regulatory requirements while aiming to achieve the best possible returns on the Trust’s funds.
The committee also gave in-principle approval to appoint a third-party audit firm for two years beginning with the 2025-26 financial year. Memon instructed that the selection process should be conducted under Sindh Public Procurement Regulatory Authority rules through an open Notice Inviting Tender.
He said the contract should be awarded to the lowest evaluated responsive bidder after all legal and procedural requirements are completed.
The meeting also approved the launch of work on a Smart Portal to digitalize the scholarship system. Memon asked officials to complete the proposal and present it to the Board of Trustees for approval so the portal can be introduced next year.
Members also reviewed applications from new universities and educational institutions seeking inclusion in the Trust’s panel.
While discussing the review of scholarship seats, the committee examined the Trust’s financial position and spending pattern. Memon formed a separate committee and directed it to submit its recommendations within a week.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining financial discipline, preventing unnecessary losses, and making the best use of available resources.
Memon also instructed officials to review institutions with higher financial costs to ensure that scholarship opportunities reach a greater number of deserving students.