Our Story
Ihsan Trust (IT) laid its ground when the president of Ihsan Trust, Dr. Imran Ashraf Usmani s/o Mufti Taqi Usmani observing a lag in the social sector decided to serve the underprivileged students pursuing higher education in Pakistan. He noticed that the primary and secondary education of Pakistan has been supported by many non-profit organizations; however, the higher education was not being supported in a sustainable manner.
Having expertise in the field of Islamic Finance, Mr. Imran Usmani introduced interest-free student loans with a distinct repayment method in 2009 which ensures that no student is left from pursuing higher education due to the lack of funds. Having the right knowledge and support in the field, Ihsan Trust was registered as a tax-exempted non-profit organization in 2010 and initiated its operation with the hope and vision of creating a need-blind admission in system for higher education in Pakistan.
Our Philosophy
Ihsan Trust was named after a verse of Surah Rehman which means “is the reward for goodness, aught but goodness?” The philosophy behind establishing Ihsan Trust is focused on Ihsan which means goodness. We aim to establish such a model that is continuous in nature, so that the goodness received from it is also continuous. The roll over fund created through interest-free loan is our interpretation of continuous goodness. The repayments received is reinvested to provide loans to more students in future.
Our Work
Interest-free Loan Facility for Higher Education
Every year thousands of students quit higher education due to their financial conditions coupled with hefty amount of university fees. Understanding that higher education is an essential part of growth for Pakistan, Ihsan Trust initiated interest-free education loan facility in 2010 with the vision to create a need-blind admission system in Pakistan so that no meritorious student is deprived of education based on his/her finances.
Ihsan Trust majorly works in the field of higher education by providing interest-free loans to students on purely “Need cum merit” basis. Interest-free loan facility is a unique model to enable higher education in Pakistan which not only help a student complete his/her education from a university of his/her choice, but also create a roll over fund that continuously helps more and more students every year across Pakistan.
This facility is being provided to all top-notch universities across Pakistan. So far, this facility has been provided to more than 130 universities and professional bodies across Pakistan and this number is rapidly increasing every year
The purpose of this initiative is to become a bridge between students and higher education during study period without burdening the students with hefty amount of tuition fees. The students are required to repay a token amount every month (always mutually agreed) even while studying and this amount is increased after graduation and employment resulting in the inculcation of sense of responsibility to repay the complete loan eventually in quickest possible time.
Our Educational Partners
Community Development
Ihsan Trust believes that to serve a nation, a holistic approach is important i.e. all the important social sectors must be served. It is this approach that enables Ihsan Trust to work in health, community development and disaster and relief sector in Pakistan. However, the kind of contribution in these sectors differs from that of education. Already having numerous non-profit organizations working in these sectors, Ihsan Trust help such NGOs to facilitate the low-income community of Pakistan by assisting them financially and in other ways.
Islamic Microfinance
Ihsan Trust has also made inroads in Islamic Microfinancing. Islamic Microfinancing is one of the most important tools to eradicate poverty from the society. In this connection, Ihsan Trust has joined hands with AKHUWAT and Wasil Foundation to provide Islamic Microfinancing to the poor and needy people of the society.
IBA Ihsan Trust National Talent Hunt Program (NTHP Program)
Ihsan Trust also supports Institute of Business Administration National Talent Hunt program. This program is targeted towards areas where students, even though very capable, do not have the opportunity, finances or access to study in top rated business school. Initially the program started as the opportunity, finances or access to study in top rated business school. Initially the program started as IBA NTHP, however due to Ihsan Trust’s continuous support to IBA, the program has now been named, “IBA Ihsan Trust NTHP.” From the final interview of the applicant, in his or her local region to the final induction and orientation, Ihsan Trust supports NTHP financially as well as operationally.