Chandigarh, Dec 15 (IANS): In an effort to strengthen people-to-people linkages between India and Afghanistan, the OP Jindal Global University (JGU) in Sonipat, Haryana, has announced 100 percent scholarship for five girls and 50 percent scholarship for all students from Afghanistan.

Announcing the new initiative under the Jindal Afghanistan Scholarship and Empowerment Programme (JASEP), JGU vice chancellor and professor C. Raj Kumar said the scholarship programme was aimed at building human capital of fellow developing countries through higher education.

"We believe education is a source of empowerment. Countries in transition like Afghanistan should significantly engage with higher education and in particular higher education of women for nation building," Raj Kumar added.

The purpose of the scholarship programme is to encourage bright Afghan students who would otherwise be unable to access quality higher education, Raj Kumar said.

A delegation of women parliamentarians and civil society leaders from Afghanistan visited the OP Jindal Global University recently to discuss opportunities for higher education for students, and in particular women students from Afghanistan.

"Based on the cultural affinities and historic ties between India and Afghanistan, there should be more opportunities for young Afghan men and women to learn from India," Sahera Sharif, a member of the Afghanistan Parliament said.