Pakistan Embassy hosts reception for 54 Pakistani students selected for Global UGRAD
WASHINGTON DC: The Embassy of Pakistan in the US hosted a reception for 54 Pakistani students selected for the Global Undergraduate Exchange program (UGRAD) for the Fall Semester 2024.
This program provides full scholarships to outstanding students from Pakistan’s underrepresented fields in American universities to pursue undergraduate studies in American universities.
In this semester, 54 students from Pakistan, including 37 women and 17 men, will participate in 48 universities in 29 states of America.
The delegation included Karene Steiner, Strategic Programs and Resource Coordinator for South and Central Asia, Press and Public Diplomacy Office; Teresa Mastrangelo, Senior Program Officer for South and Central Asian Fulbright Programs; and Michael Dyer, Senior Project Director at the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX). Representatives from the US Department of State and IREX also joined the event.
The Chargé d’ Affaires (CDA) Dr. Fareha Bugti extended a warm welcome to the students and highlighted the strong bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United States.
Dr. Fareha Bugti emphasized the importance of education in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between the two Countries.
The Charge d’ Affaires commended the delegation of the Global Undergraduate Exchange UGRAD Program 2024, which included students from across Pakistan from Lasbella Balochistan to Hunza Gilgit Baltistan.
She said that since its inception, the program has trained more than 2,500 youths and has played an important role in building people-to-people ties.
CDA emphasized the students that through their role as a cultural ambassador, they play an important role in conveying the dynamic and diverse society of Pakistan to their American colleagues.
In their remarks, Karene Steiner and Teresa Mastrangelo congratulated the students on their selection and encouraged them to engage actively with their host communities.
They underscored that these students represent the best of Pakistan and will act as ambassadors of their country during their time in the US. Sharing their experience, students expressed their commitment to acquire new skills that will benefit Pakistan upon their return.
The Global UGRAD program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the US Department of State and implemented by the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) and the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX).
