The United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan and Higher Education Commission have signed a five-year agreement to expand educational exchanges between Pakistan and the United States.
The agreement was signed at the USEFP headquarters in Islamabad on Tuesday. It will support programmes including the prestigious Fulbright scholarship.
The partnership aims to expand higher education opportunities for Pakistani students and scholars. It will also promote academic cooperation between institutions in both countries.
Under the agreement, Pakistani students and scholars will continue to access universities and academic programmes in the United States.
The initiative is also expected to support Pakistan’s higher education sector by helping scholars gain advanced skills, knowledge and research experience.
The partnership will provide opportunities for Americans to travel to Pakistan for research and professional collaboration. Areas may include business, research and public health.
USEFP Executive Director Dr Peter Moran said the programmes would help participants develop practical skills and knowledge.
He said these skills could contribute to Pakistan’s development across different sectors. He also appreciated the continued cooperation between the governments of Pakistan and the United States.
HEC Executive Director Professor Dr Zia Ul Haq described the partnership as an important milestone in educational cooperation between the two countries.
He said the long-standing HEC-Fulbright partnership reflects a shared commitment to empowering Pakistani scholars and strengthening higher education institutions.
David Moyer, Acting Minister Counselor for Public Diplomacy at the US Embassy in Islamabad, also welcomed the renewed partnership.
He described the agreement as an investment in the future of both countries. He said the programme would provide students and professionals with valuable skills and international connections.
The agreement comes as USEFP marks 75 years of educational and cultural cooperation between Pakistan and the United States.
According to USEFP, its exchange programmes have helped more than 9,000 Pakistanis and nearly 1,000 Americans gain professional experience and conduct research.
The Fulbright Programme remains the US government’s flagship international scholarship programme. USEFP administers the programme in Pakistan.
USEFP was established by the governments of Pakistan and the United States in 1950. Its main purpose is to promote mutual understanding through educational and cultural exchanges.
The new five-year agreement is expected to strengthen academic links and create further opportunities for students, scholars and professionals in both countries.
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