Pak-US alumni network reunion celebrates transformative impact of exchange programmes

KARACHI: This year’s Pakistan-US Alumni Network (PUAN) reunion for the Karachi chapter brought together approximately 200 Pakistani alumni of educational exchanges and English-language programmes sponsored by the United States government.

The event highlighted the transformative impact of US exchange programmes and celebrated the strength and reach of alumni networks in Sindh and Balochistan.

Speaking at the event, Consul General Scott Urbom acknowledged the alumni’s ongoing impact on their communities. “Looking around this room, I see leaders driving change across all sectors—education, media, public health, sustainability, the arts, and more. Your contributions, whether advancing climate action, advocating for human rights, or developing new technologies, exemplify the power of cross-cultural exchange,” he said.

The alumni reunion offered a platform for the PUAN members to share inspirational stories of how their participation in US exchange programmes shaped their careers and lives. The event also showcased how US government programmes had been empowering Pakistani participants to make significant contributions in a range of diverse fields and in their communities.

The PUAN is one of the largest US government alumni networks in the world, with more than 44,000 alumni who have participated in the US government-sponsored exchange and English language programmes. The US government invests more than Rs8.5 billion Pakistani annually in these exchange initiatives, helping over 500 Pakistanis gain invaluable educational and professional experiences in the US. Additionally, thousands of Pakistanis receive English language training throughout Pakistan each year.