‘People-to-people contact through exchange studies critical’

German embassy holds alumni meeting of Pakistanis who studied in the European nation

ISLAMABAD: German Ambassador to Pakistan Bernhard Schlagheck on Sunday underlined the importance of people-to-people contacts and exchange between the societies of Germany and Pakistan to enhance bilateral relations.

He expressed these views while welcoming alumni of German exchange study programmes during an alumni meeting at his residence.

The cultural section of the German embassy in Islamabad had organised the German-Pakistan Alumni Network to strengthen ties between former German scholarship awardees from Pakistan and the German embassy.

More than a hundred Pakistanis, who visited Germany on different scholarship programmes such as the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarship, the Alexander von Humboldt scholarship, Cross-Culture Programme scholarship and other programmes either for studies, research or professional trainings, took part in the meeting.

Participants of subject-related short-term trips to Germany offered by the German Federal Foreign Office as well as German-language teachers who attended trainings in Germany funded by the Goethe Institut took part in the alumni meeting.

Schlagheck added that more and more Pakistanis are now interested in either studying or conducting research in Germany. He added that currently, over 4,000 Pakistani students are studying in Germany and that the German-Pakistan Alumni Network hopes to grow exponentially soon with the addition of these students.

“They (Pakistani students) are attracted by the high-quality education and a conducive research environment [of Germany],” the envoy said, adding that with its exchange programmes, the German government supports students, scholars and professionals to gain experience in Germany, advance their career and broaden their horizon on a professional, cultural and personal level.

Later, the alumni shared their experience of living in and studying in Germany.

As part of the event, the German organisation Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) hosted an interactive panel where they provided insight into their activities in Pakistan, especially in the renewable energy and climate change sectors. They also detailed their experience of interacting with representatives from the government and the private sector.

Later, participants also discussed their expectations and ideas for an active German-Pakistan Alumni network for the future.

The event ended with a cultural performance by dancers Asfandyar Khattak and Alina Chaudry.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18^th, 2019.