ISLAMABAD: The National Counsellors Colloquium (NCC) 2017 hosted by Millennium Roots Schools kicked off in Islamabad with an enviable line up of guest speakers and a brilliant exchange of information. The event was attended by counsellors and academic heads from Roots Millennium Schools (RMS) and The Millennium University College (TMUC) campuses across country with addresses by game changers in the world of academia and diplomacy. Following an opening address by Millennium Schools Founder and CEO Chaudhry Faisal Mushtaq, United States Education Foundation Pakistan (USEFP) took the floor for a comprehensive look into what Education USA is, how it operates and how USEFP benefits Pakistan. Advisers Sundus Waqar Ali and Heba Al Adawy not only helped the 72 delegates from seven cities explore the various options and opportunities USEFP offers but also conducted a comprehensive workshop on ‘The Art of Essay Writing & Common Application Prompts’. Scrumptious hors d’oeuvres and tea kept the delegates rejuvenated as the colloquium picked up momentum. Next up was the team from The British Council, explaining in detail the ’Role and Opportunities of Education UK Pakistan’. Representatives Sanya Saif and Wasim Shaikh presented and entertained all queries from the delegates present and left no stone unturned to explain the intricacies of the British examination system in Pakistan. After a chance for all the attendees to network and exchange notes, the day progressed with much needed and useful information from Down Under! Azhar Shah, Country/Regional Manager, Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) gave a detailed presentation on Higher Education Prospects in Australia, coupled with AUSPAK’s Sualeha’s valuable input stemming from nearly two decades of experience in teaching IELTS and handling Australia admissions. The kuala-kangaroo session ended with Mr Mateen, official representative of Curtin University, shedding light on the University’s student recruitment process, academic portfolio and scholarship opportunities. General (R) Shoukat Iqbal, CEO, Pakistan to Germany Study outlined the opportunities for Pakistani students in Germany, the land of tuition free education, and answered all enthusiastic questions about how to avail that very chance. The first day came to a close with yet another insightful presentation and address by the Turkish Embassy’s Third Secretary, Cenegiz Gunes, highlighting the exciting scholarship opportunities and the diverse portfolio Turkey has to offer to secondary education applicants. Published in Daily Times, December 12th 2017.