Between US and Pakistan: Importance of student exchanges stressed
USEFP holds weeklong activities in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad.
Pakistani students account for the third-largest student population in the United States. DESIGN: JAMAL KHURSHID
ISLAMABAD:
Marking International Education Week, the United States Education Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) held a networking session for counsellors and high achievers across Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.
Speaking at the event, USEFP Executive Director Rita Akhtar said Pakistani students pursuing higher studies in the United States are competent and ready to meet challenges within the academic rigour and global focus of varying fields of study. She also revealed that Pakistani students account for the third-largest student population in the United States.
“Pakistani students are ready to engage with the challenges and opportunities of all fields with a strong focus on global economy,” she expressed.
Established in 1950, USEFP is a bi-national commission with one of the most active Fulbright scholarship programmes in the world. In 2013 alone, over 180 Pakistani students were granted scholarships for Master’s and PhD programmes and are now pursuing various degrees in top universities across the United States.
Acknowledging USEFP’s efforts in organising week-long activities centered on education, Judith Ravin, deputy cultural attaché at the US Embassy, said this was an opportunity to promote and celebrate benefits of international education and cultural exchange in over a 100 countries.
“American educational campuses attract hundreds of international students across the globe and diversity in education fosters mutual respect and tolerance which are essential for a better society,” Ravin shared.
“Fulbright was an opportunity to experience a new way of learning, interacting with people and appreciating diversity,” explained Aisha Iqbal, a Fulbright scholar who graduated with a Master’s degree in social work earlier this year.
Networking sessions for counsellors and high achievers and a sports day with over 200 participants were among the planned activities in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi in the spirit of USEFP’s efforts to promote global learning programmes and to encourage future leaders to study, learn and exchange experiences in the United States.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2013.
Marking International Education Week, the United States Education Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) held a networking session for counsellors and high achievers across Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.
Speaking at the event, USEFP Executive Director Rita Akhtar said Pakistani students pursuing higher studies in the United States are competent and ready to meet challenges within the academic rigour and global focus of varying fields of study. She also revealed that Pakistani students account for the third-largest student population in the United States.
“Pakistani students are ready to engage with the challenges and opportunities of all fields with a strong focus on global economy,” she expressed.
Established in 1950, USEFP is a bi-national commission with one of the most active Fulbright scholarship programmes in the world. In 2013 alone, over 180 Pakistani students were granted scholarships for Master’s and PhD programmes and are now pursuing various degrees in top universities across the United States.
Acknowledging USEFP’s efforts in organising week-long activities centered on education, Judith Ravin, deputy cultural attaché at the US Embassy, said this was an opportunity to promote and celebrate benefits of international education and cultural exchange in over a 100 countries.
“American educational campuses attract hundreds of international students across the globe and diversity in education fosters mutual respect and tolerance which are essential for a better society,” Ravin shared.
“Fulbright was an opportunity to experience a new way of learning, interacting with people and appreciating diversity,” explained Aisha Iqbal, a Fulbright scholar who graduated with a Master’s degree in social work earlier this year.
Networking sessions for counsellors and high achievers and a sports day with over 200 participants were among the planned activities in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi in the spirit of USEFP’s efforts to promote global learning programmes and to encourage future leaders to study, learn and exchange experiences in the United States.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2013.