US Embassy renews partnership with IIU

ISLAMABAD: The US Embassy in Islamabad and International Islamic University (IIU) have extended their agreement to maintain a Lincoln Corner at IIU.

The Corner provides students with information about the United States and hosts programs deepening people-to-people relationships between Pakistanis and
Americans.

In a ceremony held here in Islamabad, Us Embassy Counselor for Public Affairs Mark Davidson and IIU President Dr. Anwar Siddiqui signed a Memorandum of Understanding to continue the ongoing Lincoln Corner partnership for an additional three years.

Davidson thanked University officials and highlighted the role of this partnership in building mutual understanding. Our four Lincoln Corners in Pakistan provide access to English language resources and computers, as well as accurate information about US history, government, society, and values. These Corners offer the resources Pakistani young people have told us they want and need.

They are a concrete manifestation of President Barack ObamaIs vision of building new partnerships with people in Pakistan and Muslim communities around the world, said Mr. Davidson.

In 2010, over 10,000 students visited the Lincoln Corner at IIU and the Corner hosted 33 programs providing intellectual enrichment at the university. Over 50,000 students have used the facility since it opened in 2006.

As part of the agreement, the Embassy provides funding, programs, computer equipment, and other support while the University supplies the space, personnel, collection maintenance, and other basic services. Other Lincoln Corners are located in Karachi, Peshawar, and Muzaffarabad. In addition, the Embassy maintains four Reading Rooms in the Islamabad/Rawalpindi region.