NBF Supports NSU Skills Fund with Rs. 100,000 Donation
The National Skills University Islamabad (NSU), Pakistan’s first public-sector university in the federal setup focused solely on technical and vocational training, has taken a bold and inspiring step by establishing the Skills Fellow Endowment Fund. Launched recently with seed money from a government organization donation, this fund is not merely a financial mechanism; it is a statement of intent, a promise to Pakistan’s youth that no talent will be left behind due to economic hardship or physical limitations.
The most recent contribution of Rs. 100,000, donated by Dr. Kamran Jahangir, Managing Director of the National Book Foundation, reminds us how institutions can come together in meaningful solidarity. His support is more than just money; it brings hope, visibility, and validation to a fund that aims to transform lives.
What makes this initiative deeply impactful is its inclusiveness. The Skills Fellow Endowment Fund specifically prioritizes deserving students, especially those physically challenged and differently abled, offering them scholarships, fellowships, and financial assistance for skill-based short courses. This model doesn’t simply provide aid; it offers opportunities.
The NBF and other donations towards the Skills Fellow Endowment Fund are particularly significant because this initiative is specifically designed to uplift underprivileged and differently abled students through merit-cum-need based scholarships and fellowships. Often left on the margins of mainstream academic systems, these students now have a bridge to dignity, independence, and productivity.
According to the Founding Vice Chancellor of the National Skills University Islamabad, the need is immense, and the responsibility to meet it cannot fall on one institution or a handful of generous donors. As the fund grows, fueled by contributions from philanthropists, faculty, students, and industry partners, it signals a rare convergence of purpose in Pakistan’s higher education landscape. It also makes it a quiet challenge for those  caring about youth: Will you be part of this journey?
The role of skills-based education in today’s world cannot be overstated. It equips individuals with certificates, diplomas, degrees, employability, entrepreneurial potential, and economic independence. For differently abled students facing layered barriers in traditional academic environments, NSU’s mission offers something revolutionary: a future built on merit, not charity.
At the heart of this initiative is a university that sees education as a right and a catalyst for nation-building and global citizenship. As the Founding Vice Chancellor rightly puts it, this fund empowers youth towards self-reliance and international competence in the emerging job markets.
