Scholarship Inception History

In honor of the esteemed religious scholar, poet, and linguistic, Alija Alwaiz Ghulam Uddin Ghulam Hunzai, we are proud to announce the establishment of the Alija Alwaiz Ustad Ghulam Uddin Ghulam Hunzai Memorial Fund for Educational Change (AGFEC). The memorial fund seeks to uphold his commitment to education by providing financial assistance to deserving students, enabling them to overcome economic barriers and achieve academic excellence.

We invite individuals, families, and organizations to contribute to this noble cause, ensuring that Ustad Ghulam Ud Din Hunzai’s lifelong mission of empowering and uplifting others continues. By investing in education, we honor his selfless dedication and help shape a future where knowledge and service go hand in hand.

To contribute or learn more about the scholarship, please contact us on our email or call us. We are grateful for your support in making a lasting impact on the lives of aspiring students.

Biography of Alija Alwaiz Ustad Ghulam Uddin Ghulam Hunzai Memorial Fund for Educational Change

Alijah Ghulam Uddin Ghulam Hunzai is remembered as one of the most revered scholars and poets of Gilgit-Baltistan — a true luminary who served humanity beyond distinctions of faith or community. Widely known as Ustad Ghulam Uddin (with Ustad meaning "Educator" in Burushaski), he devoted over eight decades to educating and enlightening the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Born in Altit, Hunza, on December 27, 1924, his remarkable journey began in the late 1930s, when, as a young boy of just 12, and among the very few in Hunza with formal education up to grade five, he voluntarily began teaching in his picturesque village of Altit. This humble beginning marked the start of a lifelong mission in service of education, which continued well into his nineties. The rare blessing of actively spreading knowledge across generations was a hallmark of Alijah Ustad Ghulam Uddin's life — brightening hearts and minds with his teachings.

In an era when formal education was scarce in Hunza, he took the initiative to establish an informal school at his residence, offering free education to children, youth, and even elders. This grassroots effort laid the foundation for the establishment of the Diamond Jubilee School in Altit, Hunza, where he was appointed the first teacher in 1946. His commitment to education and community upliftment earned him widespread respect across Gilgit-Baltistan and beyond.

Alijah Ghulam Uddin also made monumental contributions to the cultural and spiritual life of the region. His saintly poetry, composed in Burushaski, Persian, and Urdu, touched countless souls with its depth, spirituality, and love for nature and humanity. Many of his poems became cherished “ Kalam” broadcast on Radio Pakistan, further amplifying his message of peace and unity.

Among his most distinctive achievements was the translation of the Holy Qur'an into the Burushaski language — a historic and reverential accomplishment that made the sacred text accessible to the people in their mother tongue for the first time. In recognition of this tremendous scholarly service, the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shaukat Aziz, invited Alijah to the Prime Minister's House in 2007 to honor him and express the nation’s gratitude for his contribution to the Muslim Ummah, and especially to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Throughout his life, Ustad Ghulam Uddin authored more than two dozen books on Islamic mysticism, ethics, and poetry. His works, including Majlisul Ma’arifat, Divan-e-Karimi, Ilm-e-Gulshan, and Burushaski Grammar, remain valuable treasures in the literary circles of the region. His efforts to devise a Perso-Arabic script for the Burushaski language played a vital role in preserving and promoting the unique linguistic heritage of Hunza and Gilgit-Baltistan. He also wrote his poetic compendium, Kulliyat-e-Ghulam, in Persian, which is regarded as a significant and treasured contribution to Persian literature in Pakistan.

Beyond his literary and educational services, Alijah contributed to social cohesion and cultural revival through his voluntary efforts. His leadership and dedication earned him the affectionate title Ustad-e-Muhtaram (The Respected Teacher), and he was fondly regarded as a guide and mentor by people of all backgrounds. For his services spanning over five decades in the education sector and being a “teacher of many teachers”, he was regarded as “ استاذ االساتذۃ ”. He lived a simple, saintly life, avoiding worldly honors while leaving behind an indelible legacy marked by selflessness, hard work, and unwavering commitment to knowledge and humanity — in line with the universal principles of Islam.

Alijah Ghulam Uddin Ghulam Hunzai passed away at the age of 96 on September 8, 2020, but his legacy continues to inspire new generations. May Allah Almighty shower His choicest blessings upon his soul and grant him the highest place in Jannah. Ameen.

Scholarship Description

The Alija Alwaiz Ustad Ghulam Uddin Ghulam Hunzai Memorial Fund for Educational Change is established to pay tribute to the extraordinary life and contributions of Late Ustad Ghulam Ud Din Hunzai, a highly respected teacher, social worker, and religious scholar from Altit, Hunza, Gilgit. He dedicated his life to educating and mentoring young minds, promoting social welfare, and imparting religious and ethical teachings, leaving behind a lasting impact on the community. His unwavering commitment to knowledge, faith, and community service made him a guiding light for many, shaping the moral and intellectual growth of generations.

This scholarship is a humble attempt to preserve his values and extend his legacy by providing academic opportunities to talented and deserving students who embody his principles of service, integrity, and wisdom. It recognizes not only academic excellence but also a commitment to giving back to society, nurturing individuals who will continue his mission of spreading knowledge and strengthening the community.

The Alija Alwaiz Ustad Ghulam Uddin Ghulam Hunzai Memorial Fund for Educational Change is a merit-cum-need-based initiative designed to assist students who aspire to pursue education in any field. It aims to support individuals who exhibit strong moral character, leadership potential, and a dedication to their communities, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder their ability to achieve greatness.

This scholarship will cover tuition fees, or amount of fee, depending on the funds available. In addition to financial support, recipients will be provided mentorship opportunities, career guidance, and access to community service initiatives, equipping them with the tools to become future leaders, educators, and social change-makers.

Scholarship Criteria & Eligibility

The Alijah Alwaiz Ustad Ghulam Uddin Ghulam Hunzai Memorial Scholarship is committed to fostering educational advancement among students from Hunza and the broader Gilgit-Baltistan region, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, or social standing. The following criteria outline eligibility and scholarship details:

• Geographical Eligibility:Open to students holding domicile of Hunza and other districts of Gilgit-Baltistan, irrespective of their current place of residence within Gilgit-Baltistan or beyond, provided they are pursuing their studies.
• Scholarship Value: The scholarship shall cover either the full tuition fee or a portion of it decided as per merit on case-to-case basis to alleviate financial barriers to education.
• Number of Awards: The number of scholarships awarded will be determined and announced periodically, subject to the availability of funds and ongoing contributions.
• Educational Level Supported: Students enrolled at the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) levels in any academic stream are eligible to apply.
• Academic Requirements: Applicants must demonstrate academic merit by having secured a minimum of 65% marks in their most recent examination. For instance, students applying for 9th grade must have attained at least 65% in 8th grade.

How to Apply

Following are the steps and required documents to apply for the scholarship.

• Collect the scholarship application form from your school office.
• Carefully read all instructions and fill out the relevant sections of the form.
• Have your headteacher or head of institute complete their designated section.
• All completed applications should be sealed in a single envelope by the school and sent to us.

Note: The same application form is used for all scholarship categories. Please fill in only the sections that apply to the specific scholarship you are applying for.