Students advised to have a critical approach

Just as you learn from the US when you go there we learn from you as well, Cameron Munter addressing students.

ISLAMABAD:

More than 100 Pakistani students going to America for further education were told to be critical towards their studies. “In your university experience in the US, be critical and bring that knowledge back to Pakistan and share it,” US Ambassador Cameron Munter told the students departing to the US as part of the US government-funded Global Undergraduate (UGRAD) programme.

He added, “Just as you learn from the US when you go there we learn from you as well. I thank you for this service you are doing us.”

Munter took questions from students and one of the students showed anxiety over the strained US/Pakistan ties and asked what he thinks the future holds for Pakistan.

The ambassador replied, “Let me reassure you that things will get better but it will take a lot of hard work. The issues are short term and long term.”

He elaborated on what he sees as short term and long term issues saying “in the long term we have talent, a lot of resources and opportunities coming your way as well as an economically-dynamic country.”

However, he felt that short term issues are needed to deal with so that long term prosperity can ensue, which include issues of militancy, government/economic stability and security.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2011.