Take away the secret of becoming world leader, plant the seed in Pakistan: Sardar Masood Khan tells future leaders of Pakistan

WASHINGTON, August 09 (SABAH): Terming educational cooperation as a major plank and a foundational principle of Pakistan-US relationship, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan has said education was connecting the youth of the two countries. “Pak-US Alumni network has grown to 39000 students. It is a huge network. Every year around 1000 students, professionals, academics, higher education administrators, journalists and entrepreneurs come to the United States. Nearly 8,000 Pakistanis were enrolled in the U.S. during academic year 2021-22. This represents a 17% increase from the previous year,” he continued.

Ambassador Sardar Masood Khan made these remarks while addressing a group of 54 Pakistan students who have arrived in the United States on Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (also known as the Global UGRAD Program). The program provides one semester scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students from Pakistan for non-degree full-time study combined with community service, professional development, and cultural enrichment.

Out of these 54 students, 38 are girls hailing from all parts of Pakistan and pursuing their studies in computer sciences, biology, bio-technology, public health, business administration, political science, economics and literature.

Speaking on the occasion, Julia Findlay, Branch Chief, South and Central Asia Fulbright Programs, welcomed Pakistani students to the United States. Highlighting the importance of Pak-US relationship, she said that people-to-people exchanges and collaboration through education was critical in strengthening bilateral relations. Recalling celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries last year, Ms. Findley said that in 2022 the two countries celebrated important milestones on 75th anniversary of Pakistan’s birth as a nation and 75th anniversary of the bilateral relations. There were many event held last year to highlight the depth and breadth of our relationship and in 2023 we continue to foster the relationship. She also thanked US Congress for providing funding for the exchange programs. “The Global UGRAD Pakistan program is a key component of our higher education cooperation,” she said.

Ms. Findley informed that Pakistani students would be studying in 48 different colleges in 33 different states of the US. She congratulated the students on being selected for the program and expressed the hope that the program would prove beneficial towards their academic pursuits as well as building networks with their US counterparts.

Earlier, Anne Seshadri, Deputy Director, South and Central Asia Press and Public Diplomacy Office, also spoke on the occasion and highlighted that Pakistan was the biggest beneficiary of US student exchange programs.

Thanking the US government, the State Department and the International Research and Exchange Board (IREX) for their strong commitment towards the education exchange programs with Pakistan and their excellent implementation, Ambassador Masood Khan said that such programs were connecting the youth and resulting in strong networks among the future builders of the nation.

On Pak-US relations, the Ambassador said that “Pak-US relationship is an important relationship. This past year we have invested in multiple disciplines. These included climate change, energy, agriculture, trade, investment, counter-terrorism, counter narcotics, regional security and stability. “

Tracing the roots of decades long educational cooperation, the Ambassador said that the cooperation in education dated back to 1950s. “This is foundational principle of our two countries that we would promote educational relations between the two countries,” he said.

Noting the diversity and representation of all provinces of Pakistan among UGRAD cohort, Sardar Masood Khan said, “You are the ambassadors of the country. You would not be representing one person but you would be representing your country and the nation. Your hosts would be looking at Pakistan through your prism.”   

Advising the students to present their country and its ethos with confidence, pride and honestly, the Ambassador said that Pakistan despite various challenges and peculiar circumstances had made significant strides in nurturing democracy, establishing rule of law and promoting constitutionalism. We are committed to make Pakistan strong “and that is why you are here. You are an agent of change,” he told the students.

Sardar Masood Khan also advised the students to avoid generalization of US society and keenly observe various facets of US life and learn about those strengths that have made the country a leading nation of the world. “Take away the secret of becoming a super power. Be the custodian of that seed and plant it in Pakistan. The universities are the best places for this purpose,” said the Ambassador.