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Friday March 29, 2024

USEFP celebrates International Education Week

By Syed Anis Ahmad
November 22, 2016

Empowering youth through international education

Islamabad

EducationUSA at the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) celebrated International Education Week (IEW) November 13 to  20 in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi as part of their ongoing efforts to foster cultural and educational exchange. IEW is a joint initiative of the US Department of State and the US Department of Education to promote international education worldwide and to inculcate a global sensibility among future young leaders.

The number of Pakistanis studying in the United States for the 2015-2016 academic year rose significantly to 6,141, an increase of 14.7 percent over the previous year, according to the annual Open Doors Report.

Christina Tomlinson, Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs at the American Embassy in Islamabad noted that “Over a million international students took advantage of the opportunity to study in the United States during the 2015-2016 academic year and we are pleased that ever more Pakistani students are studying in the United States.  A US college degree is valued all over the world and we welcome the opportunity to share the best of our academic traditions with the international community.  It’s mutually beneficial as international students enrich the experience of American students.”

A highlight of the International Education Week (IEW) in all three cities was the US Alumni Fair, which brought together US Alumni from over 40 different institutions in each city respectively. Local students and parents had a unique opportunity to learn about the academic culture and social life at the represented institutions.

USEFP Executive Director, Rita Akhtar, encouraged students and parents to take advantage of the IEW activities and learn more about higher education in the U.S.:  "Pakistani students who study in the United States are well prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the global economy. Studying abroad also strengthens ties and fosters friendship among students from different countries."

Other features of the IEW included the High Achievers’ and Counselors’ Recognition Ceremony, which celebrated outstanding students from local high schools and recognized the hard work of counselors in advising their students all year around. Extracurricular activities, often crucial in building a well-rounded student profile, were given their due. The third annual USEFP Sports Day was held in Islamabad and for the first time in Lahore. Local school teams of men and women, showcased their athletic talent by competing in football, basketball, and table tennis matches. The Second Annual USEFP Cricket Tournament was organized in Karachi and encouraged both men and women to engage in Pakistan’s most popular sport.

To promote a sense of civic responsibility among students, community service days were organized at centers catering to the underprivileged segments of the society. Students got to express their creative talent by participating in an Arts Workshop in Lahore and a Dramatic Reading Contest in Islamabad. Students also logged onto webinars and virtual advising sessions with various university representatives in the United States.

EducationUSA at USEFP offers free advice and assistance to students interested in applying to or learning about US colleges and universities. USEFP is a bi-national commission established in 1950 by the governments of Pakistan and the United States. It is one of 49 Fulbright Commissions located throughout the world. For more information, please visit www.usefpakistan.org.