How Sehr Nisar, a Pakistani Scholar, Secured a Fully Funded Master’s in Anthropology in Hungary Through the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship

My name is Sehr Nisar, and I am from Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan. I completed my primary and secondary education in Larkana before moving to Lahore to pursue a BSc (Hons) in Economics and Politics (Joint Major) at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). My undergraduate education provided me with a strong foundation for exploring my interests, understanding society, and developing a clearer sense of what I wanted to pursue professionally.

After graduation, I worked as a Research Associate with MIGNEX, an EU-funded research project examining the relationship between migration and development. As part of the project, I conducted fieldwork in the coastal region of Keti Bandar, near Thatta in Sindh. The research resulted in the publication of a policy brief. I was subsequently offered another position as a Research Associate on a project examining migration and upward social mobility with the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). In this role, I conducted family-history interviews in Karachi, Pakistan, which contributed to a published blog post and research paper.

Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Details

My research experience strengthened my interest in anthropology, particularly in understanding migration, mobility, and people’s lived experiences. When I began exploring opportunities for a master’s degree, I came across the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship and decided to apply for a master’s in Anthropology, as it closely aligned with both my previous research and academic interests. I was fortunate to receive admission offers from both universities to which I applied following their interviews. Subsequently, I was awarded a fully funded Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship.

Although I had reached the stage of having my visa ready and was preparing to leave for Hungary, I received an offer from the State Bank of Pakistan. I ultimately decided to stay in Pakistan and take up the opportunity to serve my country, putting my plans for studying abroad on hold for the time being.

How Did You Find Information About Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship? Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? How Did You Prepare for Them?

As part of the scholarship application process, I had already taken the Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) conducted by Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC). Since Stipendium Hungaricum is a bilateral scholarship programme between Hungary and Pakistan, applicants from Pakistan were required to apply through both the HEC portal and the Stipendium Hungaricum portal.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe the strongest aspect of my application was the clarity and consistency of my academic and research goals. My interest in studying anthropology was a natural extension of my previous research experience, particularly my work on migration. A good HAT score and my nomination by the Government of Pakistan also strengthened my application. Most importantly, my statement of purpose clearly articulated my research interests and future academic goals, demonstrating how the degree would contribute to the work I hoped to pursue.

I later cleared the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination and currently serve as a civil servant in Pakistan.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

For anyone applying for a scholarship like Stipendium Hungaricum, my advice would be to have conviction and clarity about what you want to achieve. Your academic background, experiences, and future goals should tell a coherent story, and you should be able to communicate that story to the selection committee with the same clarity and confidence.