The China Study Centre (CSC) at Karakoram International University organized a cheque distribution ceremony for the “China-Pakistan Friendship Ambassadorial Merit-Cum-Need Scholarship” on June 20, 2023. The scholarship is generously funded by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Pakistan. This event was largely participated in by the scholarship awardees, KIU Leadership, Faculty, and management staff.

Honorable Vice Chancellor Engr. Prof. Dr. Attaullah Shah acknowledged the support of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Pakistan for the promotion of quality higher education and programs across Pakistan. He said that students should take advantage of these opportunities and learn as much as possible, keeping in mind the requirements of the modern era. He emphasized the importance of studying, considering the challenges faced in the present era, so that students can play a role in eliminating these challenges. He suggested that the scholarship should be spent on fulfilling educational needs and further improving performance, ensuring that the purpose of the scholarship is fulfilled. The Vice-Chancellor expressed special thanks to the Chinese Embassy for providing the Pakistan-China Friendship Ambassadorial Merit Scholarship exclusively for the students at Karakoram International University, aimed at promoting higher education and research.

Through this scholarship, a total of 130 scholarships have been awarded on merit to students at the main campus and sub-campuses – Diamer, Ghizer, and Hunza. There were 80 grants, including undergraduate and graduate programs at the main campus, while a total number of 20 grants were appropriated for the KIU Diamer campus, 15 grants for the KIU Hunza campus, and 15 grants for KIU Ghizer.

The China Study Centre – KIU organized a visit to “Tribute to Builders of Karakoram Highway (KKH)” on July 13, 2023, at the Chinese Cemetery Danyore, Gilgit. The event was attended by Chinese language students with faculty of the China Study Centre-KIU and International office-KIU, participated in the event.

The main objective was to pay tribute and homage to the Chinese and Pakistani workers and engineers of the Karakoram highway who laid their lives during the construction work for the better future of coming generations. The program started with putting floral wreaths on the cemetery and all participants observed one minute silence. The participants were addressed and highlighted the importance of the KKH for bridging the two brotherly nations. Furthermore, The China Cemetery stands as a solemn reminder of the human cost of this remarkable engineering feat. These graves are a testament to the bravery and dedication of those who labored on this challenging project. Each tombstone holds a story, representing the lives of individuals who left their homes to connect nations but never returned to their homes again. The visit to China Cemetery evokes a sense of reflection and gratitude, honoring the sacrifices made to establish this vital trade route between China and Pakistan.