A group of nearly 100 bright Pakistani students, selected under the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program, have arrived in the United States for 2017 studies.
The program provides one semester scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students from around the world for non-degree full-time study combined with community service, professional development, and cultural enrichment.
Applicants for this program, commonly known as the Global UGRAD Program, are required to be in the 14th or 15th year of the formal education.
The Pakistani embassy in Washington hosted the 94 students on Wednesday, as US Education officials and Pakistani diplomats welcomed the students and wished them success in their studies ahead.
In her opening remarks, Aimee Clancy, Director Leadership Practice Program, IREX congratulated Pakistani students upon their selection for Global-UGRAD Program 2017 through a competitive process in Pakistan.
More than 12000 young Pakistani students have benefited from the Global-UGRAD Program since its very inception in 2010.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Chief of Mission, Rizwan Saeed Seikh conveyed felicitations and good wishes to the young participants and their families. According to a statement by the embassy, the diplomat highlighted that Educational Exchange Programs between Pakistan-USA spanning over decades formed an evidence of long-standing partnership between the two countries.
The collaboration between Pakistan and USA in the field of education such as recently launched ‘Experience Pakistan Project” is an example of experimental learning and a reflection of a burgeoning relationship between the two countries. Pakistan being the largest recipient of the program indicated continuity of mutually rewarding cooperation between the two countries, he said.
The UGRAD-Pakistan Program began in 2010 and is administered by the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) and sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Exchange (ECA) of the US Department of State.
The program brings Pakistani students from diverse disciplines to the United States for one semester for leadership development over the years through tremendous exposure and learning experience.
The program includes students from across the country including Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab Balochistan & the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
