Page 14 - Pakistan Link - March 17, 2023

P14 - PAKISTAN LINK - MARCH 17, 2023 COMMUNITY

ISLAMABAD: The United States gov- US Govt Announces 500 New Scholarships ers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, and
ernment on Tuesday announced 500 daughters. It is also a call to action to
new scholarships for Pakistani uni- for Flood-Affected Students in Pakistan accelerate gender parity and to dis-
versity students from flood-affected mantle gender stereotypes,” the press
districts to “assist them in completing release quoted Ambassador Blome as
their degrees”. saying.
The calamitous Pakistan floods HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar
of 2022 were the tenth most expen- Ahmed remarked that the US govern-
sive climate disaster to have buffeted ment’s support to strategic sectors in
a nation over the last decade. The Pakistan, especially the higher educa-
floods inflicted an estimated loss of tion sector, was “commendable”.
$3 billion on the country, caused over “Not only have these scholarships
1,700 deaths and displaced eight mil- helped secure university education for
lion people. In January, international many underprivileged students, lifting
donors met in Geneva and commit- themselves and their families out of
ted over $9bn to help Pakistan recover poverty, they have helped supply Paki-
from the flood but the United Nations stan with crucial skills and knowledge
said a day ago that so far donors have sets to drive the economy,” he added.
fulfilled only 40 per cent of the pledg- “Pakistan has suffered from
es they made. catastrophic floods where millions
A press release issued from the US of people lost their homes and liveli-
embassy in Islamabad said US Ambas- hoods. The humanitarian response by
sador Donald Blome announced the the United States and other donors is
scholarships at an event “celebrating commendable. We welcome US sup-
the achievements of female scholars in port for flood-affected students,” the
honor of International Women’s Day” press release quoted the planning
at the Higher Education Commission minister as saying. Jennifer Andleeb,
(HEC). a scholarship alumna, shared the chal-
Present at the event were Plan- lenges she faced in attaining higher
ning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, HEC A US embassy event to celebrate female scholars in Islamabad on Tuesday — US embassy in Pakistan website education and how her scholarship
Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Na- “transformed the trajectory of her
tional Disaster Management Author- chancellors, students and alumni. It added that in partnership part of the US government’s support life”.
ity Chairman Lieutenant General “The United States, through with the HEC, the US government for women’s higher education,” the “She emphasized that positive
Inam Haider Malik, HEC Executive USAID, has supported scholarships has awarded over 6,000 scholarships press release stated. changes in society could only hap-
Director Dr Shaista Sohail, United for meritorious yet financially disad- through the Merit and Needs Based “International Women’s Day not pen by investing in education, and
States Agency for International De- vantaged students to pursue higher Scholarship Program. only serves as a day to celebrate the that empowered, educated women are
velopment (USAID) Mission Direc- education at top Pakistani universi- “Sixty per cent of those scholar- social, economic, cultural, and politi- critical to ensuring a brighter future
tor Reed Aeschliman, university vice ties,” the press release reads. ships have been awarded to women as cal achievements made by our moth- for Pakistan,” the press release reads.

Month, Assemblywoman Cottie Pet- Three Inspiring Orange County Leaders tie Petrie-Norris for the work that my
IRVINE: Marking Women’s History
team and I have been deeply com-
rie-Norris has named Jennifer Friend mitted to providing a whole-person
(Costa Mesa), Dr Shaista Malik (Ir- Honored as Women of the Year approach to patient care,” Dr Shaista
vine) and Dr Samar Aziz (Tustin) as Malik said. “Receiving this award
the 2023 Women of the Year Honor- is a testament to the importance of
ees. whole health and the contributions
Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris of women in this field. I want to use
hosted her 5th annual Women of the this recognition as an opportunity to
Year event on Thursday, March 9, continue advocating for healthcare
2023. It is an annual recognition cer- quality, equity and access for all, and
emony where community members to inspire others to engage in integra-
are invited to celebrate the extraor- tive whole person health.”
dinary leadership and contributions “I am very proud to be nominat-
of three incredible women, one from ed and selected as the Tustin woman
each city the Assemblywoman repre- of the year representative on interna-
sents in the 73rd District. tional Woman’s Day,” Dr Samar Aziz
This year’s event was hosted and said. “I’ve lived in Tustin for 30 years
sponsored by Irvine-based Alteryx, and it’s an honor to be serving my
the world’s leading data science and community and make a huge differ-
analytics company serving the most ence in families’ lives. I am truly hon-
influential global brands. Alteryx was ored to be visited by assembly mem-
co-founded by Olivia “Libby” Duane ber Cottie Petrie Norris and give her
Adams, who also serves as the com- a tour of Sabil USA. Sabil is a health
pany’s Chief Advocacy Officer. Dur- and human services nonprofit that
ing the event, Libby was also honored strives to improve families’ quality of
by the Assemblywoman for her ac- life by rapidly providing them with
complishments as one of handful of equitable food, health and financial
female founders to take a technol- security with dignity and respect.”
ogy company public and for making Assemblywoman Cottie Pet-
transformational change within her rie-Norris represents California’s
workforce and through the business Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris joined by honorees Jennifer Friend, Dr Shaista Malik, Dr Samar Aziz and Alteryx co-founder Olivia 73rd District including Irvine,
community. (Libby) Duane Adams Tustin and Costa Mesa. She is the
The event was sponsored by the Chair of the Accountability and
Girl Scouts of Orange County who and Tustin Council Member Rebec- trailblazers in our community who disruptive work being done by my Administrative Review Committee
led the opening of the program by ca Gomez, as well as corporate and do so much work in our cities, mak- colleagues at Project Hope Alliance and a member of Banking and Fi-
presenting the colors, leading the non-profit leaders, educators and ing them a very special place to live.” everyday as they walk alongside our nance Committee; Jobs, Economic
pledge of allegiance and performing law enforcement officials. said Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie- community's children and youth fill- Development, and the Economy
the National Anthem. Girls Inc. were The Assemblywoman opened Norris (D-Irvine). “These three hon- ing in the gaps and eliminating the Committee; Revenue & Taxation
also sponsors of this event which the event by recognizing the incredi- orees are working each and every day barriers that homelessness causes in Committee and Veterans Commit-
served as an opportunity for the ble role women play in their commu- to find a solution. I walked away from their lives. Because of them, and our tee. After working her way through
young girls to meet and learn about nities. She said that the Women of the this event filled with so much inspira- partners like the City of Costa Mesa Yale University, where she double
the incredible women in their com- Year celebration is one of her favorite tion and hope.” and Newport Mesa Unified School majored in Economics and English,
munities and to find opportunities events because she enjoys shining the "I am humbled by this recog- District, together we truly are ending Cottie had a successful 20-year ca-
for mentorship. light on women that deserve recogni- nition from Assemblywoman Cot- the cycle of homelessness, one child reer in finance and technology. She
The event was attended by tion for their accomplishments and tie Petrie-Norris,” Jennifer Friend at a time." helped to build businesses and led
Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens, leadership. said. “This award reflects the deep, “It is a profound honor to be teams at Fortune 500 corporations,
Irvine Vice Mayor Tammy Kim, “We have so many incredible transformational and generationally recognized by Assemblywoman Cot- small companies and start-ups.
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