US consul general celebrates students’ achievements

Karachi
US Consul General Brian Heath presided over an awards ceremony on Saturday for 600 students enrolled in the US State Department’s English Access Microscholarship Programme.
The Society of International Education (SIE) manages the programme in Karachi.
“Education is the key to success,” said Heath. “The English language skills that Access provides are helping young people in Pakistan reach their full potential as citizens and future leaders of Pakistan.”
The present Access programme -- September 2014 to August 2016 -- provides instruction to 13-18-years-olds in six low-income localities in Karachi.
The after-school classes and intensive summer activities help Access students gain English-language skills that lead to better jobs, educational prospects and increased opportunity to participate in future exchanges. Since its inception in 2004, more than 100,000 students in more than 85 countries have participated in Access.
The programme helps students develop proficiency in the English language from beginners to intermediate level, and provides them a variety of experiences to enhance their confidence, and instill in them democratic values, volunteerism, and positive civic attitudes.
Overall, the program aims at increasing students’ ability to participate successfully in the socioeconomic development of their country.