Alumni of United States(US) exchange programs attended a three-day conference that opened Friday focusing on how they could “give back” to Pakistan. Approximately 200 alumni of the US Humphrey and Fulbright Exchange programmes gathered today for the eighth consecutive year to discuss their role in promoting the socio-economic development of Pakistan in a range of fields including child welfare, women’s empowerment, sustainable development, health reforms, and regional stability. Pakistan boasts the largest Fulbright programme network in the world.
US Embassy Public Affairs’ Minister Counselor Thomas Miller, himself a former Fulbright Scholar in Pakistan, testified to the value of educational and cultural exchange programmes. “These alumni, by tackling tough social and development issues and working for the betterment of Pakistan, are making invaluable contributions to Pakistan,” said Miller. “As a Fulbright alumni myself, I could not be prouder to hear of their accomplishments and their continued commitment to giving back to Pakistan.” The Fulbright and Humphrey Programmes are educational and cultural exchange programs funded and administered by the US State Department. More than 4,000 Pakistanis have participated in the Fulbright program since it was started in Pakistan in 1950.