The United States has decided to interrupt the global bachelor’s exchange program (Global Ugrad) for students from Pakistan. The program, which had been in place for 15 years, gave hundreds of Pakistani students the opportunity to study in the United States.
In an Instagram post on Tuesday, the US Education Fund (USF) announced the termination of the Pakistan program stating that the US Department of State had directed the end of the initiative of Pakistan.
“We understand that this news can be disappointing, especially for those who used this year and look forward to this opportunity. Over the years, the Global Ugrad program has given life-changing experiences to thousands of students who promote academic growth, cultural exchange and leadership development. We are hugely proud of the influence this program has had on its participants and the communities they have affected,” statement.
The decision has come as a shock to many hopeful students in Pakistan who hoped to get exposure and improve their learning through this exchange program.
The move also reflects a broader tendency for the US -recalled visas for foreign nationals as part of a comprehensive national security review, a process that has raised concerns and uncertainty among students and green card holders.
The Global Ugrad Pakistan program, funded by the US government, has been completed after taking advantage of over 2,500 Pakistani students since launching in 2010. The program was designed to improve students’ community engagement, leadership skills and commitment to service.
Alumni of the program has continued to serve in different areas, uplifted their communities and serve worldwide recognition for their contributions. This marks the program’s long -term impact on Pakistani students who have gained valuable international exposure and developed key skills.
The US education foundation in Pakistan (USEFP), which has monitored the initiative, is a BI-National Commission established in 1950 by governments in the United States and Pakistan. Its mission is to promote mutual understanding between the population of both countries through educational and cultural exchange programs.
