On its first day, around 250 Pakistani alumni of the Fulbright and Humphrey Fellowship program gathered at the Higher Education Commission to examine how they can contribute to Pakistan’s development in fields ranging from higher education to law during its three-day Annual Alumni Conference here.
US Ambassador David Hale along with HEC Chairman Dr Mushtaq Ahmed and United States Education Foundation Pakistan (USEFP) Executive Director Ms Rita Bruun Akhtar welcomed the guests during the inaugural session.
Speaking at the occasion, American Ambassador David Hale congratulated the alumni on their accomplishments and urged them to continue applying the skills and connections they developed in the United States to their professional and personal pursuits in Pakistan. Ambassador Hale also thanked the HEC for their contributions to the Fulbright Program.
‘The people of Pakistan and America share a fundamental desire for stability, peace, and regional and global economic developments. We are able to achieve these goals through education,’ said Ambassador Hale.
Rita Akhtar said that the merit-based Pakistan Fulbright Program gives people with the greatest potential in all academic disciplines the opportunity to gain much-needed skills and knowledge in rigorous degree programs essential to sustainable development and progress.
“This is why the overarching theme of this year’s conference is ‘Agents of Change’. The conference showcases the commitment of returning alumni to share innovative solutions in a variety of fields. USEFP is proud to be part of building a network of alumni who have the skill sets and commitment to be leaders for growth and progress in Pakistan,’ she said.
Dr Mushtaq Ahmed thanked Ambassador Hale and welcomed the alumni to the 13th annual conference. Dr Ahmed laid emphasis on the role played by foreign qualified alumni who have come back home to serve in their respective fields. ‘I have before me a brilliant lot, trained and educated by the finest institutes of America. I promise that you have the complete support and trust of the HEC for your research and academic endeavours,’ he said.
During the three days of conference, scholars, subject specialists, bureaucrats and alumni will conduct sessions on language, higher education, environment, art, culture, environment, governance, public policy, law, gender issues and other topics.
In addition to the sessions, keynote speeches, and networking sessions, two documentaries will also be screened: The Journey Within (the Coke Studio origin story) and The Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness.
The conference will conclude on the 4th of December.
