Islamabad’s talent showcased in International Education Week celebrations

Islamabad
In connection with celebrations of 16th International Education Week, the EducationUSA centre at the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) organised a series of spectacular events for Pakistani students from 14-21 November.
International Education Week is an opportunity to promote and celebrate the benefits of international education and cultural exchange. Started as a joint initiative between the US Department of State and US Department of Education, International Education Week promotes global learning programmes and encourages future leaders to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States.
USEFP continued its efforts to encourage self-expression through art and music. The grand finale of last year’s most popular event ‘USEFP’s Got Talent’ was held at Bahria University. Islamabad’s talented youth enthralled a packed auditorium with their singing, dancing, and acting skills. The performances were judged by a panel of celebrity judges and the winners received iPads, Kindles and gift vouchers.
“USEFP’s talent showcase shows that while education is serious business, it is also fun. International Education Week is a great opportunity to underscore our commitment to education. The US Embassy is proud to continue to support educational exchange programs here in Pakistan – for high school students, college students, and post-graduates. We would like more Pakistani students to study in the United States,” said Christina Tomlinson, Counsellor for Public Affairs.
The third annual Sports Day was held at the Islamabad College of Arts and Sciences (ICAS) and included matches in football, basketball, and table tennis for boys and girls. Students from 18 local high schools competed with their contemporaries and the winners were awarded medals and cups as USEFP’s Sports Day Champions. The Dramatic Reading Contest was a chance for contestants to breathe life into poetry or prose. Sixty finalists performed in front of a live audience at the ICAS auditorium.
According to the 2015 Open Doors Report, students from Pakistan increased their presence on US campuses by 8.5% from 2014. Currently 5,354 Pakistani students are studying in the United States, making it one of the leading 50 places of origin for international students in the United States, and the third largest place of origin in South Central Asia. At the grand finale of USEFP’s Got Talent, Executive Director Rita Akhtar addressing the audience and participants said, “The strong growth in the number of Pakistani students studying in the United States confirms that the United States remains the destination of choice in higher education.”
Other highlights included the launch of the EducationUSA Pakistan Alumni Network, Pakistan’s first US graduate alumni network and the High Achievers’ Ceremony. A USEFP Cricket Tournament was held in Karachi and a Fun Fair was held in Lahore. The week also featured webinars and networking sessions for school counsellors, high achievers, and parents.