Pakistan, US universities partnership conference in Texas
DALLAS: Approximately 60 representatives from the U.S. Department of State, faculty members and administrators from U.S. universities and administrators and faculty members from universities in...
November 15, 2014
After inaugural event the UNT-NUML partnership director Masood Ashraf Raja said that the workshop participants will learn about U.S. universities’ partnerships with universities in Pakistan.
One such partnership is between UNT and the National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad.
UNT received a $1 million grant from the U.S. State Department’s Public Diplomacy Programs for Afghanistan and Pakistan to fund the initiatives, which include UNT faculty members traveling to Islamabad to assist with curriculum restructuring in NUML’s graduate Department of English, and NUML faculty members and graduate students visiting UNT for curriculum development training and research.
He said UNT’s program was selected from them to host the University Partnerships Conference.
Talking to Jang and Geo News Kathryn Schalow, Director US Department of State Bureau of South & Central Asian Affairs from Washington, said the State Department is currently funding 19 partnerships between U.S. universities and universities in Pakistan.
She said USA is spending $19 million dollar on these partnerships, but we have a lot more education opportunities.
She said we commit 20 million dollars a full year on scholarships and an other $ 20 million dollars of other types of exchange program which is a one semester exchange program. So we have all educational opportunities for all levels.
Schalow said we have a largest educational exchange program with Pakistan more than any other country in the world, on this program we send about 1,300 Pakistanis to the United States every year.
Replying a question she said we provide English language instructions to several madrasahs in Pakistan through our access scholarship program it's an after school program that provides intensive English language and life skills for young students so that after two years, they not only can speak wonderful language, but have confidence, and they have an ability to go out and contribute to the economy of Pakistan.
Schalow said, I believe that Pakistan is at a wonderful point of opportunity where they can provide better education to Pakistani youth. And can look forward to a future of economic prosperity through that education.
She said right now, 65% of the Pakistan population is 35 or under. And these young people need skills, education, and partnerships allow better education for Pakistanis and provides a better future and better chance for economic prosperity for all the people of Pakistan.
She said I see a bright future for Pakistan, as long as they commit to education for the young people's at the time of interview.
Judith Ravin cultural Attaché US Embassy of Pakistan Islamabad was also president.
