ISLAMABAD: The United States (US) Department of State has discontinued its Global Undergraduate (Global UGRAD) exchange program for Pakistani students after 15 years, the US Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) said on Tuesday.
The move is part of President Donald Trump’s broader aid cuts that are aimed at pressuring governments to align with the US foreign policy. These have cuts affected various food, education, medical and cultural exchange programs.
Global UGRAD, launched by the US in 2010, provided Pakistani undergraduate students with the opportunity to study in the US for one semester. The program aimed to foster mutual understanding between Pakistan and the US through cultural and academic exchange.
Over the last 15 years, the undergraduate exchange program benefited more than 2,500 Pakistani students, enhancing their leadership skills, academic knowledge and cultural awareness, according to the USEFP.
“We regret to inform you that after 15 incredible years, the Global UGRAD has come to an end,” the USEFP said on X. “The US Department of State informed USEFP that the global UGRAD-Pakistan program will no longer be offered.”
https://x.com/usefp/status/1909552532566712697?
The USEFP, which offers a range of educational and cultural exchange programs for Pakistanis, termed the news as “disappointing” for students who applied this year, highlighting the life-changing experiences and the program’s significant impact over the years.
However, the US Fulbright Program for foreign graduate students remains available and continues to offer fully funded scholarships. Mid-career professionals can apply for the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship, while young English teachers may join the Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program, according to the USEFP.
The Community College Initiative Program (CCIP) provides technical skills through one-year certificates at US community colleges. Additionally, the Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Program supports government school teachers in enhancing their classroom techniques.
US discontinues its undergraduate exchange program for Pakistani students amid Trump aid cuts
https://arab.news/v52d8
US discontinues its undergraduate exchange program for Pakistani students amid Trump aid cuts
- Launched in 2010, the program gave Pakistani students opportunity to study in US for one semester
- Fulbright Program for foreign graduate students remains available and continues to offer scholarships
Peace can only prevail if Afghanistan renounces support for ‘terrorism’— Pakistan defense chief
- Pakistan’s chief of defense forces visits South Waziristan district bordering Afghanistan
- Pakistan says has killed 481 Afghan Taliban operatives since clashes began last Thursday
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir said on Wednesday that peace with Afghanistan can only prevail if Kabul renounces support for “terrorism” and “terrorist” organizations, the military’s media wing said as the two countries remain locked in conflict.
Fighting between the two neighbors, the worst in decades, broke out last Thursday night after Afghan forces attacked Pakistan’s military installations along their shared border. Afghanistan said its attacks were in response to earlier airstrikes by Pakistan against alleged militant hideouts in its country.
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of sheltering militant outfits such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on its soil who have launched attacks against Pakistani civilians and security forces in recent years. Kabul denies the allegations.
Munir visited Wana town in Pakistan’s South Waziristan district to review the security situation and troops’ operational preparedness at the Afghan border, the Pakistani military’s media wing said in a statement.
“The Field Marshal reiterated that peace could only prevail between both sides if the Afghan Taliban renounced their support for terrorism and terrorist organizations,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
The military chief said the use of Afghan soil by militant outfits to launch attacks against Pakistan was unacceptable, vowing that “all necessary measures” would be taken to neutralize cross-border threats.
During the visit, Munir was briefed by military commanders about ongoing intelligence-based operations and measures being taken by the military to manage the border with Afghanistan.
He was also briefed about “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq” or “Wrath for the Truth,” the name Pakistan has given to its military operation against Afghan forces, the ISPR said.
The Pakistani military chief spoke to troops deployed in the area, praising their vigilance, professional conduct and high morale, the ISPR said.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday that the military has killed 481 Taliban operatives, injured more than 690 and destroyed 226 Afghan checkposts since clashes began.
Arab News has been unable to verify claims by both sides about the damages they claim to have inflicted on each other.
Afghanistan has signaled it is open for dialogue but Pakistan rejected the offer, saying it would continue its military operations till its objectives were achieved.
Since the conflict began, diplomatic efforts have intensified with several countries, including global bodies such as the European Union and United Nations, urging restraint and calling for talks.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that Ankara would help reinstate a ceasefire, the Turkish Presidency said on Tuesday, as other countries that had offered to mediate have since been hit by the conflict in the Gulf.
