Scholarships for girls at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology

In partnership with the Tahzeeb Development Foundation (TDF), the company funded scholarships for five girls, studying at the Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), Jamshoro. MUET is a leading engineering university in Pakistan. The girls, who belong to Sukkur district, would have found it difficult to pursue further education without the financial support afforded by the company.

The five bright young women were selected for the scholarship programme after a rigorous assessment process. During the university’s summer holidays, the girls also got the chance to intern at our field facilities.

Microfinance for female entrepreneurs

We collaborated with a micro-finance company, Kashf Foundation, to support women entrepreneurs in rural Sindh. Three branches of Kashf foundation, located in Khairpur district, received funding from us for a period of two years. Today these branches are entirely self-sustaining.

Over 9,000 women have received loans to kick-start their own businesses. The female entrepreneurs have invested in a variety of initiatives including opening small-scale beauty salons, setting up food stalls and producing local handicrafts. Kashf Foundation not only provides micro-financing for women but also conducts trainings to build the vocational and business management skills of its female entrepreneurs.

20 schools built in partnership with The Citizens Foundation

UEP has built 20 schools in interior Sindh in partnership with renowned NGO, The Citizens Foundations. These schools are located in Badin, Tando Muhammad Khan, Hyderabad, Sanghar, Matiari and Tando Allahyar districts.

TCF schools impart quality education in impoverished areas. Around 1,800 children study at TCF schools funded by UEP.

AKU Mother Child Healthcare Centre

In collaboration with the acclaimed Aga Khan University, UEP has built a landmark health center in Matiari district. The Mother and Child Health, Research and Training Centre is the first of its kind in the district.

This center aims to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates. It caters to a population of about half-a-million people, living in 1,400 villages across Matiari district.

Operational expenses of four community based schools

UEP funds the operational expenses of four community based schools located in districts Sanghar, Matiari and Tando Allahyar. These schools are run by local NGOs under the supervision of the Sindh Education Foundation (SEF). SEF also provides limited funding for the schools – the remaining costs are borne by UEP.

About 1,500 boys and girls are taught free of cost at the four schools.

Hunar Foundation vocational training course

In order to enhance the employment prospects of local youth, UEP sponsored a technical & Vocational Training Programs for over 100 young people from its concession area. This project, done in partnership with the Hunar Foundation, focused on Mechanical and Electrical disciplines.

At the commencement of the programme advertisements were placed in local newspapers. Those who applied underwent a rigorous exam and interview process, supervised by the Hunar Foundation and only top scoring candidates were selected. Hunar Foundation awards certificates endorsed by the Trade Testing Board and City & Guilds (UK). Graduates of the programmes are readily employable both locally and abroad.

Rehabilitation of 100+ government schools that were in a dilapidated condition

Since 2011, UEP has partnered with Research & Development Foundation to rehabilitate government schools that are in a dilapidated condition. This includes repairing and also reconstructing existing school buildings.

100+ school buildings that were in a state of disrepair have been restored.

Support for Government Girls Colleges in Tando Adam and Shahdadpur

UEP’s CSR projects have a special emphasis on increasing female literacy. The company has funded ‘UEP blocks’ consisting of additional classrooms at the Government Girls Degree Colleges located in Tando Adam and Shahdadpur. Both colleges have a high enrolment of students and with scarce teaching spaces, UEP stepped in to ensure students would have access to an environment that is conducive for learning.

Solar powered pumps for potable water

UEP partnered with NGO Aware to provide three solar powered water pumps for villagers living in its concession areas.

Two solar powered water pumps were provided for residents of ‘Achro Thar’, district Sanghar. ‘Achro Thar’ literally translates to ‘white desert’. One solar powered water pump was provided for residents of Taluka Jhando Mari, district Tando Allahyar.

The provision of water connections to their homes, via the solar powered pumps, has brought about a positive change in the lives of the villagers who previously had to walk long distances to fetch potable water.