National ICT Scholarship Program 2010
FOR A PROSPEROUS PAKISTAN

Frequently Asked Questions:

The following FAQs are intended to resolve the commonly asked queries of students and should be treated as such.

National ICT Scholarship Program is governed by specific parameters, policies and procedures. Responses provided here do not constitute a binding relationship or contract between the recipient of this information and National ICT R&D Fund.
 

Q1.  I completed my F. Sc. in 2008. Can I apply for the program?
Ans. Students who have completed their F. Sc. with Mathematics and Physics, in 2009 or have appeared for the exam in 2010 are eligible to apply. However students who completed their F. Sc. in 2008 or before are not eligible to apply.

Q2.  I did my F. Sc. in pre-medical, however I have given additional mathematics exam as well. Am I eligible to apply for the program?
Ans. Pre-medical students who have taken additional mathematics are eligible to apply for the program as long as they fulfill all other eligibility criteria listed in the registration form.

Q3.  How many exams do I have to appear in to get the scholarship?
Ans. National ICT R&D Fund will be conducting only one test called ICT-Scholarship Award Test to determine the merit of its candidates. Those students who have opted for Part IV (b) in the “University & Discipline Preferences” section of the Student's Registration Form will have to register and appear in the respective university entrance exam and also take admission on their own.

Q4. What components of National ICT Scholarship Program are funded by National ICT R&D Fund?
Ans. National ICT R&D Fund fully funds the tuition fees and boarding and lodging expenses for the four year under-graduate study period.

Q5. What disciplines are supported by National ICT Scholarship program?
Ans.  All disciplines listed in Part IV (a) and (b) in “University & Discipline Preferences” section of the Student's Registration Form are supported.

Q6. Why do you ask for preference of University and discipline?
Ans. We consider university/discipline preferences provided by the student as one of the key parameters (in addition to others) for seat allocation.

Q7. What is population based quota?
Ans. National ICT R&D Fund follows the population based quota as given in NEC formula provided by Government of Pakistan.

Q8. Is this scholarship program domicile dependant?
Ans.  No. The scholarship program is not domicile dependant.

Q9. Do I have to apply to a university in the same province where I belong?
Ans.  No. You can apply to any university of your choice in any province provided the restriction given in Part IV (a) and (b) in “University & Discipline Preferences” section of the Student's Registration Form.

Q10. What is your procedure to do seat allocation for university and discipline to the applicants of National ICT Scholarship Program 2010?
Ans. Seat Allocation is done as stated in Instructions number 6 given in the Student's Registration Form.

Q11. Why do you ask for financial details?
Ans. One of the criteria for this scholarship program is financial eligibility of the applicant, and its details are given in Instructions 14-18 in the Student's Registration Form.

Q12. Is it compulsory to attend Foundation Training program (FTP)?
Ans. It is highly recommended that students attend this training program to have better chances of getting this scholarship and admission in preferred university. However, it is not compulsory to attend this training program.

Q13. Who will conduct the ICT-Scholarship Award Test?
Ans. An Agency selected by National ICT R&D Fund will conduct the ICT-Scholarship Award test for NICTSP 2010.

Q14. Who will conduct the Foundation Training Program?
Ans. An Agency selected by National ICT R&D Fund will facilitate conduction of the Foundation Training Program for NICTSP 2010, through local school/college teachers and principals.

Q15. What happens in Foundation Training Program?
Ans. Foundation Training Program will be held for four weeks in selected rural areas school/colleges to train students in attempting aptitude based ICT-Scholarship Award Test and university admission exams.

Q16.Where will be the Foundation Training Program held?
Ans. Foundation Training Program will be held at training centers either in your own school/college or in proximity to your school/college.

Q17. How do I know which training center is allotted to me?
Ans. List of all short-listed, eligible, registered students shall be sent out to their respective training centers and participating students shall also be informed through letters and SMS.

Q18. Can I change my Foundation Training Program Center?
Ans. The students wishing to change their training center should seek prior permission from the FTP executing agency.

Q19. What is your procedure of short-listing students for Foundation Training Program?
Ans. National ICT R&D Fund has limited budget for National ICT Scholarship Program 2010, therefore a limited number of students are short-listed on the basis of quota and merit. Quota is mentioned in FAQ No. 7 and merit is based upon academic results provided in the Student's Registration Form.

Q20. What is meant by students’ list for FTP?
Ans. The students’ list for FTP is merit based list which includes the names of short-listed, registered and eligible students (based upon information provided in the Student's Registration Form).

Q21. What books do you suggest to prepare for the ICT-Scholarship Award Test on my own instead of attending the Foundation Training Program?
Ans. National ICT R&D Fund highly recommends the students’ manual prepared for the Foundation Training Program which will be available free of cost to all the short-listed eligible registered students at their training centers.

Q22. What subjects will be included in the ICT-Scholarship Award Test?
Ans. ICT-Scholarship Award Test will be comprised of Mathematics, Physics, English, Chemistry and Computing Sciences.

Q23. What will be the Test Format?
Ans. It will be a multiple-choice test with no negative marking.

Q24. Which provincial text book board course content will be followed for ICT-Scholarship Award Test?
Ans. ICT-Scholarship Award Test will comprise of mostly the common course content of all provincial text book boards.

Q25. Where will be the test centers located?
Ans. Test Centers will be located in proximity to your area.

Q26. When will the Scholarship Award Test take place?
Ans. Roll No. slips of candidates shall be dispatched to their respective addresses stating the exact date, venue and time of the test.

Q27. Will there be any negative marking in the Test?
Ans. There will be no negative marking in the ICT-Scholarship Award Test.

Q28. What if some information in my roll number slip is incorrect?
Ans. You can e-mail or contact through the telephone numbers stated in the roll number slip to make requisite corrections.

Q29. Will my admission be finalized by National ICT R&D Fund?
Ans.  No. It is the student’s responsibility to fulfill all requirements of National ICT R&D Fund and eligibility criteria of university/discipline in which the student is allocated.

Q30. What will happen if I withdraw or leave my scholarship?
Ans. You might be liable to pay for expenses spent on you till the time of withdrawal.

Q31. What is meant by quota versus open merit system in the Scholarship program?
Ans. Universities utilize both the systems. For exact details contact your preferred university.

Q32. Can I apply again if I have already availed last year’s scholarship?
Ans.  No. You are not eligible to apply for this year’s program.

Q33. Do I have to apply separately to the university and the National ICT Scholarship Program?
Ans. National ICT R&D Fund will be conducting only one test called ICT-Scholarship Award Test which is mandatory for all candidates aspiring to compete for the scholarship. Those students who have opted for universities listed in Part IV (b) in the “University and Discipline Preferences” section of the Student's Registration Form will have to register and appear in the respective university entrance exam and also take admission on their own.

Q34. Can I change my preference after submitting my registration form?
Ans.  No. It is not possible to change your preference for university or discipline.

Q35. When will the students be notified for scholarship?
Ans.  The students will be notified as soon as the merit list is finalized.

Q36. What will happen if I am unable to complete my degree within the stipulated time period of the study program?
Ans. National ICT R&D Fund will only fund for the 4-year degree program as long as the scholarship holder makes steady academic progress, as defined by the educational institution policies and remains enrolled in the allocated university/descipline.

Q37. When will the university classes start?
Ans. The students are responsible to stay informed about the commencement date of classes at university where they have been allocated.

Q38. Where does the funding come from, for this scholarship program?
Ans. Funding is provided by National ICT R&D Fund and PSDP (Government of Pakistan).

Q39. What preparation should I do before joining the university after receiving the call letter?
Ans. The call letter from the university will inform you about the requisite preparation at the time of joining the university.

Q40. Can I transfer to another university/discipline after joining my degree program?
Ans. National ICT R&D Fund has no such policy in place as various participating universities have different admission criteria. All allocations are final.

Q41.  Do I have to sign a bond if I am awarded the scholarship?
Ans. Students who are awarded the scholarship have to sign a bond whereby they are required to stay within Pakistan for two years minimum, after the completion of their degree.