*ISLAMABAD: *The US embassy’s Minister Counsellor for Public Affairs LisaHeller on Sunday announced that the Trump administration would like toincrease educational opportunities for Pakistani students with over 7,900students are currently studying at universities across the United States.
With 5 per cent increase been recorded in Pakistani students’ enrollmentsthis year compared to last year, Heller said that Pakistan is among thefastest emerging market places of origin for international students inAmerica.
According to an official statement, the US government is committed tosupport educational opportunities and academic exchanges for Pakistanistudents from all backgrounds.
The United States embassy and Education USA celebrated InternationalEducation Week (IEW) from November 18 to 22 by encouraging future Pakistanileaders to study in the US — home to world’s top universities.
The 2019 IEW activities included: the annual High Achievers’ andCounselors’ Recognition Ceremony in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi— whichhonoured outstanding students from local high schools and highlighted thehard work of counselors; a networking event co-hosted by the US Consulatein Karachi that brought together notable vice-chancellors and Pakistanialumni of US government exchanges; and ‘Study Beyond Borders’ sessions inIslamabad and Karachi underscoring the benefits of US exchange programmes.
“The IEW activities are planned and organised by Education USA advisers whohave firsthand experience of study in the United States and arewell-positioned to guide students through their applications,” said RitaAkhtar, executive director of the United States Educational Foundation inPakistan (USEFP) — which also runs the EducationUSA programme.
Akhtar encouraged students to participate in the free events andopportunities to learn about studying in the United States.
“Through exposure to new cultures, ways of thinking and friendships withpeople from around the world, studying abroad prepares Pakistani studentsto 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 inapplying or learning about US colleges and universities.
With offices in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore, its advisers travelcountrywide to provide advice to students who want to pursue their studiesin the US.
Moreover, USEFP is a bi-national commission established in 1950 by thegovernments of Pakistan and the US to facilitate students who aspire tostudy in America.