United States Chargé d’Affaires Paul Jones on Tuesday congratulated more than 135 Pakistani undergraduates who were selected to participate in the US government-funded Global Undergraduate (Global UGRAD) exchange programme. Since 2010, approximately 1,700 Pakistani students have participated in the Global UGRAD programme, where they spend a semester studying at US colleges and universities. “America has a long tradition of embracing international students on its university and college campuses,” Ambassador Paul Jones noted. “In the US, you will become great cultural ambassadors and representatives of Pakistan. I am proud we can support your educational pursuits through the Global UGRAD programme.” Global UGRAD participants from Pakistan are selected from across the country and will study a variety of academic fields, which include: engineering, business administration and sciences. US Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) Executive Director Rita Akhtar encouraged students to take full advantage of the academic and extracurricular activities available in the US. “The Global UGRAD programme gives talented students who are committed to helping their communities and country an opportunity to study in the US,” USEFP Executive Director Rita Akhtar said. “The programme also involves exciting community service and cultural exchange activities. When Global UGRAD participants return to Pakistan, they have opportunities to build on their volunteer experience by availing small grants through the Pakistan – US Alumni Network (PUAN). This is an exceptional group of students who will make a wonderful impression on US students and faculty through this unique exchange opportunity,” she said. USEFP, a bi-national commission established in 1950 by the governments of Pakistan and the US, administers the Global UGRAD programme in partnership with the US Mission in Pakistan. Published in Daily Times, December 12th 2018.