FURTHER

All of the candidates interviewed so far have provided sufficient evidence of performance and need to confirm their awards. Details will be published after all interviews are completed on Monday, 26 September 2011. Meanwhile, please download the Affidavit and print it on a Stamp Paper of any value (Rs. 10 or less would be fine). You must submit the completed Affidavit to receive your award letter from our office in Islamabad on Wednesday, 28 September 2011, at 6 PM.

We had very pleasant conversations with all of the candidates and we learned a great deal from them. We are deeply impressed with the intelligence, integrity, and courage of everyone we have met so far. Two of the candidates, Waleed Aslam and Hassnain Arshad,  made the admirable effort to provide feedback on the process and we appreciate their comments.

Emails were sent out to 26 short-listed candidates on 05/09/2011 asking them to deliver scanned copies of all relevant documents through email by 12/09/2011. All emails were delivered to the respective mailboxes without any errors. A reminder email was sent on 10/09/2011 and was also delivered correctly to all 26 mailboxes. However, a large number of short-listed candidates did not respond at all. When contacted by phone, they had the following excuses:

1. I did not check my email
2. I had an exam
3. I did not check my SPAM folder
4. I did not check my JUNK folder
5. I was very busy

Several of the candidates did not even answer their phones. All of this represents an irresponsible attitude which is rampant in our society. Laziness and callousness have become a part of our culture and are destroying the fabric of our polity. YOU, the young people of Pakistan, must stop this disease so that we can become a responsible nation.

Please check your email and send all documents requested by 11:59 PM on Wednesday, 14 September 2011. There will be no extensions and no excuses will be entertained. FURTHER is not responsible for checking your spam or junk folders or for adjusting your email settings to make sure good emails are not being filtered. You are all educated people who should behave responsibly. We are trying to conserve our resources so that we can maximise the funds available for scholarships. Making so many phone calls is a frivolous and unnecessary burden.

We have now carefully reviewed all applications for FURTHER Scholarships 2011-2012 and identified 26 students who have extreme need and exceptional promise. A total of 50 points were allocated for need, 35 points for academic performance, and 15 points for the quality of institution and degree programme. Nearly 75% of the applicants have a solid case as they scored 80 points or more. This means that most applicants have a serious need and an excellent academic record. The applicants short-listed below scored more than 90 points (in order of application received):

Please keep in mind that the appearance of your name in this list does not mean or imply in any way that your application is successful. It means only that your application will be considered further based on the evidence you provide to establish your financial need and academic performance. You will shortly receive an email detailing what you need to do next.

Our apologies and regrets to those applicants whose names do not appear above. As we have mentioned, the competition for these limited spaces is very intense and unfortunately we do not have the resources to fund everyone who applies. Your application might be considered again if a substantial number of above candidates do not qualify; however, this is unlikely because of the depth and quality of the short-listed applicants. You will be notified of the final decision on your application through this website by Friday, 16 September 2011.

We are now processing 146 applications for the 10 scholarships available for the academic year 2011-2012. Each applicant shall be assessed a score between 1 and 100 based on (in order of importance):

1. Need for aid
2. Academic performance
3. Quality of degree program and institution

Based on these criteria, a  merit list of all applicants shall be created and the first 25 applicants short-listed for further consideration. The short list shall be published on this website by Monday, 12 September 2011. If any of the short-listed applicants cannot prove their need or academic performance, those next in merit will be considered. In any event, all applicants shall be informed of their status by Friday, 16 September 2011.

Please keep visiting this page to remain informed. Please do not contact us because we must focus all our attention and resources on funding deserving students rather than administrative matters. We appreciate your patience and understanding.