The US Fulbright Scholarship programme for Pakistan is the largest in the world and it will be doubled next year to accommodate more Pakistani students pursuing Masters and PhD degrees in American universities, US Consul General William J Martin said at a leadership conference jointly organised by US Consulate and Blink on Friday to commemorate the UN International Youth Day.
According to a press release, he said that more than 8,000 Pakistanis have participated in fully funded academic or professional development programmes in the US.
“About 5,000 Pakistani youth are currently enrolled in the US government-funded English language programme in Pakistan,” he added.
Martin pointed out that the US government has a sincere interest in supporting programmes that invest in the future of Pakistan’s young people.
“The Pakistani youth are using their innovative spirit to revolutionize their society and communities and the youth can change communities and societies and the direction of the future course,” he added.
He said that young people enjoy tremendous power in Pakistan as they constitute 63 percent of the total population. “They must utilise this advantage to change the society,” he added.
“You are the vanguard of future generation and you must inspire the change.”
Martin said that not only Pakistani students are sponsored to study in the US, but American youth will also be supported during the year 2011-12 to come to Pakistan under the exchange programme.
“Exchange programmes will help remove the existing misunderstandings about each other,” he added.
He said that the US and Pakistan share common values and Ramazan teaches the lesson of tolerance and respect for one and another.
Later, former city nazim Mustafa Kamal responded to the queries at ‘Icon of Inspiration’ panel discussion.
Get your passports ready… it’s raining scholarships!
