US to increase educational opportunities for Pakistani students

Currently, over 7,900 students are studying at universities across the United States

ISLAMABAD: The US embassy’s Minister Counsellor for Public Affairs Lisa Heller on Sunday announced that the Trump administration would like to increase educational opportunities for Pakistani students with over 7,900 students are currently studying at universities across the United States.

With 5 per cent increase been recorded in Pakistani students' enrollments this year compared to last year, Heller said that Pakistan is among the fastest emerging market places of origin for international students in America.

According to an official statement, the US government is committed to support educational opportunities and academic exchanges for Pakistani students from all backgrounds.

The United States embassy and Education USA celebrated International Education Week (IEW) from November 18 to 22 by encouraging future Pakistani leaders to study in the US — home to world’s top universities.

The 2019 IEW activities included: the annual High Achievers' and Counselors' Recognition Ceremony in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi— which honoured outstanding students from local high schools and highlighted the hard work of counselors; a networking event co-hosted by the US Consulate in Karachi that brought together notable vice-chancellors and Pakistani alumni of US government exchanges; and ‘Study Beyond Borders’ sessions in Islamabad and Karachi underscoring the benefits of US exchange programmes.

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"The IEW activities are planned and organised by Education USA advisers who have firsthand experience of study in the United States and are well-positioned to guide students through their applications," said Rita Akhtar, executive director of the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) — which also runs the EducationUSA programme.

Akhtar encouraged students to participate in the free events and opportunities to learn about studying in the United States.

"Through exposure to new cultures, ways of thinking and friendships with people from around the world, studying abroad prepares Pakistani students to thrive in an increasingly globalised world," she added.

The US Embassy also hosted a Power 99 radio 'Tea-Time' and 'Facebook Live' interview on the benefits of studying in the United States.

EducationUSA offers free guidance and assistance to students interested in applying or learning about US colleges and universities.

With offices in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore, its advisers travel countrywide to provide advice to students who want to pursue their studies in the US.

Moreover, USEFP is a bi-national commission established in 1950 by the governments of Pakistan and the US to facilitate students who aspire to study in America.