Saturday, February 11, 2012

US launches world’s largest 2013 fulbright programme for Pakistanis

The United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) on Friday announced the world's largest Fulbright Programme in Pakistan for the year 2013.

The US government's flagship scholarship programme awards deserving Pakistani students full scholarships covering tuition, textbooks, airfare, a stipend, and health insurance to complete their Master's or Ph.D. degrees in a field of their choice in universities across the United States.

Kicking off the 2013 Fulbright season, Deputy Chief of Mission Ambassador Richard Hoagland stated, "We are proud that Pakistan has the largest Fulbright programme in the world, and also one of the oldest. Our agreement initiating the programme was signed on September 23, 1950 - and the first Pakistanis and Americans traveled each way in the same year. It was one of the very first agreements of its kind and has since been extended to 155 countries around the world."

USEFP Executive Director Ms. Rita Akhtar echoed Ambassador Hoagland's sentiments and encouraged students from all over Pakistan to take advantage of the Fulbright Programme in 2013, according to a press release issued by the US Embassy here on Friday.

In addition to the approximately 200 who will depart in the fall of 2012, 369 students currently study in the United States on Fulbright awards.

This is one example of the U.S. government's long-term commitment to the education of Pakistanis and to increasing mutual understanding between both countries.

Since USEFP's inception more than 61 years ago, nearly 4,000 Pakistanis and more than 800 Americans have participated in USEFP-administered exchange programmes.

The Fulbright Programme is just one of many U.S.-government funded educational, professional, and cultural exchange programmes that build people to people ties among Americans and Pakistanis.

Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and students from FATA, Balochistan, and all of Pakistan's provinces are strongly encouraged to apply. All disciplines are eligible, with the exception of the field of clinical medicine.

Applicants studying energy, water, and agricultural disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply. More information about this programme, as well as standardised testing and free educational advising services can be found on the USEFP website at www.usefpakistan.org. - APP

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