Pakistan National Association of Fulbright Alumni is opening its sub-office at University of Agriculture, Faisalabad for providing platform to the alumni to discuss related issues and strengthen ties.
This was stated by United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan Executive Director, Rita Akhtar flanked by Director for Alumni Affairs and In-charge Administration and Security, Mazhar Qayum Awan. She met UAF VC, Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan at his chamber and addressed the association at Business Incubation Centre.
In her address, Ms Rita said they would provide resource persons to Faisalabad chapter for GRE International, prerequisite to get scholarship, where students will be trained. She said that USAID is providing 25 PhD scholarships to Pakistanis for studying abroad in order to providing trained manpower in the agriculture sector. She furthered that they are offering 100 more scholarship to help flourish the country in other areas as well. United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan is a bi-national commission dedicated to improving mutual understanding of people of Pakistan and US through educational exchange opportunities, she added.
In his address, Mazhar Qayum Awan said since its beginning in Pakistan, the foundation had sent approximately 2,775 Pakistani Grantees under various programmes to US while 830 US Grantees came to Pakistan. The VC termed the aforementioned step a landmark decision that would open up new avenue of guidance for the people willing to study abroad. He recalled that four years ago, only 40 female teachers were serving with the university and now the number has crossed 120.
He furthered that around 70 teaching staff of the university is studying abroad while UAF has more than 200 foreign-qualified. He apprised that UAF is enjoying good reputation across the globe and has inked 53 Memorandum of Understandings internationally. He underlined the need for further strengthening of relations among the educational institutes of both the countries.
On the occasion, the association unanimously elected Dean Faculty of Sciences, UAF Professor Dr Muhammad Ashraf as the President for Association (Faisalabad Chapter) and Professor Dr Irfan Afzal as General Secretary. Senior Librarian Professor Dr Zahid Atta Cheema, ORIC Director, Professor Dr Asif Ali, Dr M Laiq Khan, Dr Atta Muahammad Ranjha and other notables were also present on the occasion.