Daily Times

Over 200 Pakistani alumni of American government exchange programmes participated in the 2018 Pakistan-US Alumni Network (PUAN) international conference opening ceremony on Friday.

The conference, which runs through July 15, is focusing on Pakistani-American partnerships in cultural industries, entrepreneurship and international education, while promoting shared values of tolerance and social inclusion.

Visiting from Washington, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Marie Royce participated in the event, together with American Embassy Chargé d’Affaires John Hoover.

They were joined by hundreds of alumni, including Nazir Sabir, attorney Ramesh Jaipal, and performing artist Sheema Kermani.

All spoke about the transformative power of exchange programmes and people-to-people ties in advancing shared American-Pakistani goals.

Assistant Secretary Marie Royce highlighted the conference’s goal to support Pakistan’s domestic growth and international trade.

“Many of you know that the United States is Pakistan’s largest market, with bilateral trade topping Rs 663 billion this year,” Royce noted.

“Whether it is supporting tourism and cultural industries, or advancing entrepreneurship and technical education, American-Pakistani connections in all fields will only benefit both our countries. There is no group quite like PUAN,” John Hoover said.

“The 25,000 members of this community possess staggering power. You have the resources, knowledge and ambition to shape Pakistan and the future of the region,” he said.

Hoover also participated in the opening of an art exhibition featuring work by emerging Pakistani artists and prominent alumni of US-funded exchange programmes.

The exhibition was organised by PUAN, in cooperation with Nukta Studios and the Satrang Gallery at a local hotel.

The United States has a long tradition of educational, professional and cultural exchanges with the people of Pakistan.

PUAN is the largest of its kind in the world, with over 25,000 members of American government-sponsored exchange and English language programmes.

Alumni include Pakistani business and community leaders, entrepreneurs, change makers, journalists and many more.

Published in Daily Times, July 14^th 2018.