Karachi, Sindh

Around 700 students from Sindh and Baluchistan have gone to Italy to pursue higher studies, Consul General of Italy in Karachi, Mr. Danilo Giurdanella said at a reception hosted here to celebrate the National Day of Italy.

“This will help Pakistan to overcome the lacking that it faces in technical expertise,” he said adding that the Consulate is also working closely with public sector universities in Sindh to establish cooperation with similar counterpart institutions in Italy.

“In particular, the Consulate of Italy in Karachi has established successful partnerships with University of Karachi, NED University and Institute of Business Administration in Karachi and in Sukkur that have allowed the increase in the influx of Pakistani students to Italy,” he said.

Italy is the second biggest export market for Pakistan in EU and in terms of remittances. The trade with Italy has risen significantly according to SBP statistics.

Italy plays an important role being the host of largest Pakistani community in Europe after UK.

The Consulate of Italy has been also working to promote interfaith harmony in the fight against Islamophobia and to promote inter-religious dialogue.

To create an exclusive Italian evening, the venue at a local hotel was curated to display high end Italian excellence with product displays.

Bella Italia, Italian Food Festival was also organized from 4-9 June for the people of Karachi. The week aims to celebrate Italian culinary heritage and gastronomical excellence and benefits of Mediterranean diet. Chef Vincenzo de Liso is in Karachi and is hosting the Italian Food Festival to promote Italian food philosophy. A live cooking demonstration of traditional recipes of Italy from Naples was also held. Chef Vincenzo De Liso originating from the vibrant culinary traditions of Naples showcased his culinary innovation and creativity during the master class.

Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Ms. Faryal Talpur, Agha Siraj Durrani, Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Minister for Education Sindh, Sector Commander Rear Admiral Sohail Arshad, COMLOG, Commodore Muhammad Azeem Abbasi, Sector Commander Rear Admiral Salman Ilyas, members of Sindh Provincial Assembly Sohail Anwar Sial and Qasim Soomro also attended the ceremony. (PR)

Read: Italian Language Week celebrated in Karachi

______________

The post 700 Students from Sindh and Balochistan Studying in Italy first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Amir Latif 

Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

The flavor and variety of traditional Turkish cuisines attracted top Pakistani government officials, politicians, businessmen, educators, and journalists to celebrate Turkish Breakfast Day in the port city of Karachi on Saturday.

A variety of feasts were showcased at a ceremony held at the Turkish Consulate as part of events aimed at bringing the cherished Turkish breakfast tradition to a global audience.

The tradition is also part of the UNESCO-designated annual World Breakfast Day, which takes place on the first Sunday in June.

The event’s chief guest was Syed Murad Ali Shah, the chief minister of eastern Sindh province, for which Karachi serves as the capital.

Other attendees included Federal Minister Makhdoom Mehboob Zaman, Advisor to Prime Minister Feroze Alam Shah, Karachi Port Trust Chairman Syed Syedain Raza, Chairman Higher Education Commission Sindh Dr. Tariq Rafi, Chairman Trade Development Authority Pakistan Zubair Motiwala, and Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) Karachi Coordinator Halil Ibrahim Basaran.

The event featured an array of traditional Turkish cuisine such as Su Boregi (pastry with feta cheese filling), Sucuklu Yumurta (eggs and sausage), salami, Menemen (scrambled eggs with cottage cheese), Simit (sesame bread rings), and Pogaca (buns stuffed with cottage cheese), as well as Turkish tea offered to the guests.

Speaking at the gathering, Turkish Consul General Cemal Sangu said the idea behind the annual event is to bring the people of the two brotherly countries together and introduce the tapestry of Turkish culture and taste to Pakistanis.

Such events, he added, serve as symbols of unity and brotherhood between the two countries.

“It shows our love and sentiments for you,” he remarked.

Read: Türkiye delivers electric wheelchairs to disabled people in Karachi

___________________

Aamir Latif is a Karachi-based senior journalist. He represents Anadolu, a Turkish news agency

Courtesy: Anadolu Agency (Posted on June 1, 2024) 

The post Flavors of Turkish cuisine bring together Pakistani politicians, officials first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Abu Dhabi

Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State, headed the UAE delegation to the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement, which was held from 17th to 18th January, in the capital of the Republic of Uganda, Kampala. The meeting was held in preparation for the 19th summit of the Movement.

During his speech, Al Marar expressed his gratitude to Uganda’s government for hosting the event, and congratulated its leadership on securing the Presidency for the term 2024-2027. He also expressed his gratitude to the Republic of Azerbaijan for its efforts during its presidential term of the previous session.

Al Marar affirmed the UAE’s commitment to the principles and vision of the movement, and to reinforcing multilateralism and cooperation to confront challenges and achieve common goals based on the principles of international law, as well as the objectives of the UN Charter, in addition to the friendly relations between countries, and resolving conflicts in peaceful ways. In addition, he underscored the UAE’s commitment to consolidating a culture of peace, refraining from the use of force and interference in countries’ internal affairs, respecting countries’ sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence, and resolving disputes peacefully according to the UN charter and international law.

Read also: Non-Aligned Movement criticizes Israel’s war on Gaza at Kampala summit

Al Marar emphasized the UAE’s unwavering and steadfast position on the issue of the three Emirati islands occupied by Iran, which demonstrates support for peaceful efforts and initiatives that aim to resolve the issue through bilateral negotiations or accepting to refer the case to the International Court of Justice in accordance with the principles and rules of international law.

The UAE Minister of State also addressed the situation in the Gaza Strip, stressing that the UAE’s priority is to work towards reaching a ceasefire, safeguarding the lives of civilians, providing sufficient and sustainable relief and medical aid, and to avoid a regional spillover that would threaten security and stability in the region.

In this regard, Al Marar reviewed the UAE’s endeavors within the “Gallant Knight 3” initiative, and the substantial and continuous relief sent to civilians in the Gaza Strip, as well as the diplomatic efforts and calls since the outbreak of the crisis in the Strip, that seek to halt escalation, reach a cease-fire, restore peace, and prevent further loss of life. He reiterated the UAE’s successful efforts during its non-permanent membership at the UN Security Council in adopting resolutions 2712 (2023) and 2720 (2023).

With regard to developments in Sudan, he emphasized that diplomatic action has always been, and continues to be, aligned with efforts to call for restraint, de-escalation, and action to end the conflict.

Furthermore, Al Marar referred to the UAE’s successful hosting of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), where the historic ‘UAE Consensus’ was adopted, which included an unprecedented declaration to address the repercussions of climate change, in addition to the announcement of a special fund with the value of US$30 billion for climate solutions worldwide to bridge the financing gap. The event also delivered a historic negotiated outcome to operationalize Loss and Damage with a contribution exceeding US$550 million, and supported the health sector across the African continent with a fund with the value of US$220 million, in addition to concluding important agreements that aim to contribute to advancing climate action.

Al Marar underscored that the UAE will host the World Government Summit under the theme ‘Shaping the Future Governments’ from 12th to 14th February, bringing together government leaders, global experts and decision-makers to discuss the necessary tools and policies for the procedures of future governments. The country will also host the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Abu Dhabi from 26th to 29th February, to give new impetus to the future of the organization and the multilateral trading system.

Moreover, Al Marar stressed the importance of securing freedom of trade and the free flow of goods and services worldwide, and of rejecting protectionist policies and barriers, in order to reduce inflationary pressures and provide flexible and sustainable supply chains. He underscored the necessity of collective action to confront global challenges, to reduce risks to freedom of trade and maritime commercial transport and confront threats to freedom of maritime navigation, especially by non-state actors and terrorist organizations. Al Marar also highlighted the significance of all countries working in solidarity to protect maritime navigation and vital maritime straits within the framework of stable international law and rules.

Published under the International Cooperation Protocol with Middle East Business

___________________________

The post UAE delegation attends Ministerial Meeting of Non-Aligned Movement in Kampala first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Karachi

Conrad Tribble assumed responsibility as the Consul General of U.S. Consulate General Karachi on August 21, 2023.

Most recently, he served as the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’ affaires from 2020-2023 in Madrid, Spain.  Before Madrid he served three years in Washington as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Europe and the European Union, one year as head of the diplomatic tradecraft training school at the Foreign Service Institute, and one year as a Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States.  From 2012-2015, he was assigned as Deputy Chief of Mission in Havana, Cuba, where he helped manage the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba and the reopening of the U.S. Embassy there.

His previous diplomatic assignments include Santiago, Port-au-Prince, Baghdad, and two tours in Germany, including a year as an exchange diplomat in the German Foreign Office in Bonn and three years as Consul General in Munich.  He also served in numerous leadership positions in Washington D.C.

Conrad Tribble grew up in Los Angeles, California, and he and his wife Christina Tribble, also a U.S. diplomat, have four children.  He holds a Bachelor’s degree in history from Loyola Marymount University, a Master’s in international relations from the University of Southern California, and a Master’s in national security studies from the U.S. National War College.

Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Conrad was an exchange student in Germany and a volunteer teacher in Honduras; he speaks Spanish, German, French, and some Haitian Creole.  A lifelong singer and amateur musician, he is a former member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (the Grammy Association).  He is also a sports junkie; he plays baseball, basketball, and soccer, and is looking forward to learning to play cricket.

In assuming the role of Consul General, he will celebrate with the people of Pakistan the 76th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries.  He will continue to pursue our joint goal of enhancing U.S.-Pakistan bilateral partnerships through increased economic investment, trade cooperation, and the Green Alliance framework that will benefit both of our countries and the region. (PR)

______________

The post New US Consul General assumes charge in Karachi first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Aamir Latif 

KARACHI, Sindh Pakistan

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba arrived in Pakistan on Thursday amid ramped-up efforts to rally the support of nations that have remained neutral on the Russian-led war.

During his first-ever ministerial visit since Pakistan and Ukraine established diplomatic relations in 1992, Kuleba will meet top Pakistani leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

He is expected to discuss various issues encircling the diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries. Still, the intensifying Russia-Ukraine war will dominate discussions, a diplomatic source told Anadolu on condition of anonymity.

Islamabad, a longtime ally of the West in the latter’s lingering confrontation with Moscow, including the now-defunct USSR invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, currently maintains a “neutral” position on the Russia-Ukraine war.

Although Islamabad has repeatedly called for respecting Kyiv’s sovereign integrity and sent humanitarian aid to the war-torn country, in a rare move, it has refused to condemn Moscow’s action.

Islamabad has thrice abstained from voting on a resolution at the UN General Assembly denouncing the “Russian invasion of Ukraine.”

“Pakistan fully supports the resolution’s call for respect for the principle of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states – a principle which also applies to Ukraine, as to other member states. States cannot be torn apart by the use of force,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in October last year.

‘No chance’ of change in Islamabad’s policy

Diplomatic and political analysts see “no chance” of any shift in Islamabad’s current position of staying neutral on the conflict due to recent changes in Islamabad’s foreign policy and its increasing defense and trade ties with Moscow.

“There has been a major shift in Pakistan’s policy of taking sides in recent years. It is currently pursuing a balanced approach towards global and regional conflicts, avoiding taking sides,” Munawar Hussain Pahnwar, a professor of international relations at the Quaid-i-Azam International University in Islamabad, said, citing the South Asian country’s reported refusal to join Saudi Arabia-led military action against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Also, he opined, Islamabad, which is otherwise considered a US ally, has explored its options with other regional and global blocs in terms of trade and defense relations, including Russia.

“I do not see any shift in Islamabad’s current policy on the Russia-Ukraine war, considering the shared strategic interests of Pakistan and Russia, new regional alignments and a relatively reduced US in the Middle East,” he said.

An energy-starved Pakistan, which usually looks towards oil-rich Gulf States, mainly Saudi Arabia, inked an agreement to procure Russian crude oil at discounted prices in April. The country received the first cargo of Russian crude oil at discounted prices last month and has placed an order for a second cargo.

Last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia and Pakistan want to work to shape a “more just and democratic” multi-polar world order.

Addressing the Pakistani people on the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, Lavrov, who also visited Islamabad in April 2022, said Moscow treats Pakistan as a key security partner in combating terrorism and other security threats.

No possibility of arms deal

Pahnwar ruled out the possibility of any arms deal between Kyiv and Islamabad at this stage, considering Pakistan’s “strictly neutral” policy on the conflict.

“Reports regarding Pakistani artillery shells used in the Russia-Ukraine war were released by pro-West news outlets and have already been denied by Pakistani authorities. Such ammunition might be given by the countries to which Pakistan sold years ago,” he said.

“Thus, the rumors that the Ukrainian foreign minister’s visit is to procure weapons assistance from Pakistan is a baseless narrative,” he further said.

In an interview with BBC in April this year, the commander of the 17-tank battalion of the Ukrainian army talked about receiving rockets from other countries, including Pakistan.

However, Islamabad strongly rebutted the claim, insisting the country maintained a “policy of strict neutrality.”

‘Islamabad is in gray area’

Pakistan’s former Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry said Islamabad has pursued a “balanced” approach toward the Russia-Ukraine conflict and will continue to do so.

Speaking to Anadolu, Chaudhry, who served as the country’s foreign secretary from 2013 to 2017, said: “Despite having improved relations with Moscow, Pakistan is a longtime ally of the West and has had good ties with Kyiv; therefore, it has pursued a balanced approach towards the conflict.”

Trade between Islamabad and Kyiv started with the establishment of diplomatic relations in April 1992, and the current annual trade volume between the two sides is nearly $450 million.

Pakistan is also a significant importer of wheat from Ukraine.

Like many other countries, Chaudhry further said Islamabad is in the “gray area” vis-a-vis the Russia-Ukraine war.

“Pakistan recognizes the internationally followed rule that no bigger state should be allowed to attack a smaller nation and the principle of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity must be honored; but, at the same time, the bigger country should not be provoked to do that,” he maintained.

He opined that NATO has continuously provoked Moscow by inducting former USSR and Eastern European states into the NATO alliance, which forced Russia to take the “preemptive” step.

“The Ukraine issue (proposed induction into NATO) could have been resolved diplomatically through a dialogue. But it seems that the bigger powers are more interested in keeping Russia bogged down in Ukraine through a proxy war,” he said.

_________________

Aamir Latif is a Karachi-based senior journalist representing Anadolu, a Turkish news agency.

Courtesy: Anadolu Agency (Posted on 20.07.2023)  

The post Pakistan is in ‘gray area’ over Russia-Ukraine war, say analysts first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Karachi, Sindh

Newly appointed Consul General of China in Karachi, Yang Yundong called on Sindh Chief Secretary Sindh Dr. Muhammad Suhail Rajput on Friday April 28, 2023. The matters related to bilateral relations and mutual interests were discussed during the meeting. Chief Secretary Sindh welcomed the new Chinese Consul General and assured the cooperation of the provincial government.

“The provincial government and people of Sindh value brotherly relations with China,” said Chief Secretary Sindh.

He added that there were very good opportunities for Chinese businessmen and companies to invest in the Sindh province.

The Consul General Yang Yundong thanked the provincial government for its support and cooperation.

The meeting also decided to extend cooperation in the fields of Agriculture and technology. Chief Secretary Sindh presented Sindhi Traditional Ajrak and Topi to the guest. (PR)

__________________

The post New Chinese Consul General meets Sindh Chief Secretary first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Karachi

U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome visited Karachi from February 12 to 15 and observed the AMAN-23 Naval exercises to further strengthen U.S.-Pakistan cooperation and advance a common vision for peace and stability in the region.  During his visit to Karachi, Ambassador Blome also met with the Chief Minister of Sindh, Commander of the Pakistan Fleet (COMPAK), and the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS).

“I was pleased to observe the AMAN-23 exercises, which promote a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Pakistan,” said Ambassador Blome during his visit.  “We want to further strengthen our maritime security cooperation with the Pakistan Navy to secure freedom of navigation in international waters to facilitate economic activity.  The combined patrol between Pakistan Navy, PMSA (Pakistan Maritime Security Agency), and NAVCENT last October bodes well for our future collaborative efforts.”

AMAN-23 was held concurrently with the Pakistan International Maritime Exhibition and Conference (PIMEC), which hosted trade promotion pavilions relating to the blue economy. AMAN-23 included two components:  the International Maritime Conference (IMC), which was a series of discussion panels about maritime security and trade, and the AMAN-23 naval exercises.

In his meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Ambassador Blome affirmed the importance of the U.S.-Pakistan relationship and discussed opportunities to expand U.S.-Pakistan economic partnership and other shared priorities.  He also traveled to a warehouse where USAID-procured food is stored for distribution to flood affected areas in Sindh and Balochistan.

This food is being given to feed severely malnourished children and is just one example of how the United States has been leading a robust international effort to support the most vulnerable Pakistani communities. To date, the United States has contributed $200 million to the Pakistani people for flood relief, recovery and resilience efforts.

The Ambassador also visited the Quaid-e-Azam House Museum, which was the home of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.  The Ambassador noted in the Museum’s Visitor Book, “It is a great honor to be here at the Quaid-e-Azam House in Karachi to pay my respects and commemorate the legacy of Muhammad Ali Jinnah.  The United States shares his vision of a unified, democratic Pakistan, one in which equality, social justice, and economic opportunity prevail.  These ideals gave rise to Pakistan’s creation, and they reflect values that we all hold dear.”

Ambassador Blome and Consul General Nicole Theriot also met with Abbott Laboratories to underscore the importance of U.S.-Pakistan cooperation in the healthcare sector.

The U.S. Mission in Pakistan commends U.S. companies working to ensure that lifesaving medication continues to be available.  The strong bilateral military partnership exemplified by AMAN-23 is just one important example of collaboration between the United States and Pakistan.  The United States is dedicated to expanding the full range of bilateral trade, security, education, people-to-people, and clean energy cooperation.  This promotes a more stable, secure, and prosperous future for both our countries. (PR)

_______________

The post U.S. Ambassador joins AMAN-23 Naval Exercises first appeared on Sindh Courier.

KARACHI

U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome visited Karachi on November 17 and 18 to underscore the strong ties between the United States and Pakistan and to further strengthen our robust economic partnership and public health cooperation.

During his visit, Ambassador Blome met with representatives of the American Business Council, Agha Khan University Hospital, and a KFC-funded School for the Deaf to witness the many ways our countries continue to build a strong partnership.

In his meetings with industry leaders at the American Business Council, Ambassador Blome discussed how the United States and Pakistan can facilitate broad-based, equitable, and sustainable economic growth for both nations.

Ambassador Blome commented, “I am committed to boosting bilateral trade and investment, especially through a new framework called the U.S.-Pakistan Green Alliance that seeks to promote climate-smart agriculture and private sector-led growth in Pakistan.”  The United States is Pakistan’s largest bilateral trade partner and one of its largest sources of foreign direct investment, with U.S. investment in Pakistan increasing more than 50 percent in the past year.

Ambassador Blome also met with Aga Khan University Hospital leadership where he learned about their operations and toured the facilities. In 2012, the U.S. Development Finance Corporation provided a $30 million loan to expand Agha Khan’s hospital and healthcare facilities. The U.S. remains committed to expanding healthcare cooperation with Pakistan.

Ambassador Blome visited a KFC-funded school for the Deaf community and ate lunch at one of the KFC establishments that hires differently abled workers. He was impressed to see that KFC not only donated to the flood-relief efforts, but that it is taking corporate responsibility to heart by creating meaningful job opportunities for the hard-of-hearing and leading the way on inclusivity. The United States government has contributed $97 million to flood-relief efforts to date, while the U.S. private sector and U.S. citizens have separately donated more than$32 million.

The U.S. government is dedicated to expanding the full range of the U.S.-Pakistan relationship including education, people-to-people ties, clean energy, and health-related cooperation. Together we can promote a more stable, secure, and prosperous future for both our nations. (PR)

__________________

All photos courtesy: US Consulate Karachi

The post United States and Pakistan to further strengthen economic partnership first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Karachi

The U.S. Consulate Karachi in collaboration with local partners celebrated Global Entrepreneurship Week from November 14, 2022 to promote the advancement of the Pakistani entrepreneurial ecosystem by convening various programs with entrepreneurs, startups, incubation centers, industry leaders, academia, youth, and journalists.

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and encouraging new opportunities for investment, partnership, and collaboration to boost economies and address some of the world’s most pressing economic challenges.

U.S. Mission Pakistan sponsored the Silicon Valley trainer and a professional speaker Oscar Garcia, founder and chief empowerment officer at Aspira, to join the celebrations in Karachi and Islamabad.

He gave several interactive motivational sessions on pitching, professional branding, and career development during his time in Karachi.

Oscar Garcia spoke on, ‘The Art of Taking Risks and Building Resilience’ at National Incubation Center Karachi (NICK) at NED University where the packed room learned about the vision and patience it takes for businesses to succeed. He led a roundtable discussion with U.S. Consulate Karachi officials, entrepreneurs, startups, and business journalists about the ‘Challenges and Opportunities in Pakistan’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem”.

To close a week of events, he gave an interactive talk about ‘Sustainability in Start-Up Culture’ with the aspiring Pakistani entrepreneurs at Lincoln Corner Karachi where The Startup Lab is located.

The StartUp Lab is a one-of-a-kind space in Pakistan where any aspiring entrepreneur can turn their business idea into a reality using the latest technology and equipment for free.

Other events this week included an Access English Micro-scholarship program event at Lincoln Corner Pakistan American Cultural Center where more than 200 students listened to alumni and U.S. Consulate Karachi’s Information Officer, Krista Bustamante talk about entrepreneurship, the importance of hard work, finding a mentor, and building resilience.

The United States has been supporting Pakistani innovators, entrepreneurs, and students working to make a positive impact on their communities and the economy.  While talking to the promising Pakistani entrepreneurs at NICK, Consul General Nicole Theriot remarked, “This year marks 75 years of bilateral relations between the United States and Pakistan. The United States values our long-standing cooperation with Pakistan and has always viewed a strong, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan as critical to U.S. interests.  We support strengthening economic ties between our two countries by expanding private sector trade and investment, which benefits both countries.”

The U.S. government looks forward to continuing our work with Pakistan to grow and expand our commercial and economic ties, expand our collaboration in education, improve access to renewable energy, and increase agricultural cooperation, between our countries.  We also look forward to more cooperation on integrating women into Pakistan’s economy and help further nurture Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. (PR)

______________

The post U.S. Consulate Karachi celebrates Global Entrepreneurship Week first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Karachi

The U.S. Consulate General in Karachi in collaboration with EducationUSA celebrated International Education Week (IEW), November 14-18, with a series of in-person, hybrid, and virtual events that underscored the advantages of U.S. higher education.  Geared towards students, parents, and school counselors, these activities focused on the unparalleled international student experience and the wealth of quality programs and opportunities available in the United States.

IEW highlights the shared value the United States and Pakistan place on higher education and educational exchanges and illustrates the impact a first-rate education can make to an individual, a community, and a nation.  Each year, the U.S. government supports approximately 800 Pakistanis to study in the United States, including fully funded fellowships for 100 masters and 50 PhD candidates through our flagship Fulbright Program.

The highlight of this year’s IEW celebrations in Karachi was a reception for university and high school education counselors hosted by the U.S. Consul General to honor their exceptional performance and dedication.  Consul General Nicole Theriot noted, “International students gain cutting-edge skills and a better appreciation of the complexity, challenges, and opportunities of life in the 21st century.  The experience broadens their world view and gives them an edge in today’s competitive job market.  These educational opportunities at top-quality U.S. academic institutions represent an important investment in Pakistan’s future and are emblematic of the value the United States places on our partnership with Pakistan.  Upon their return, these students are poised to succeed in their chosen professional fields and make meaningful contributions to Pakistan and the world.”

Consul General Theriot further noted, “Higher education in the United States is not just about a rigorous academic experience; it is also about personal growth spurred on by being in a culturally diverse environment.  With over 4,000 options to choose from, finding a ‘best fit’ school is no easy feat – EducationUSA advisers and counselors in Pakistan are doing a great job of helping strong students identify institutions where they can truly thrive.  IEW activities, driven by the multi-faceted benefits of U.S. higher education, strengthen our commitment to educational exchange between both countries.”

Other IEW events included a radio series on educational opportunities in the United States, outreach events on exchange programs at local universities, a Twitter Spaces discussion on “What is the Fulbright Scholarship and How to Prepare” with Fulbright alumni, exchange alumni panels on college and career readiness, and a Facebook live session on student visas.

EducationUSA is the official U.S. government source of information on U.S. higher education.  It offers accurate, comprehensive, and current information on accredited postsecondary institutions in the United States, and free guidance and assistance to students interested in applying to U.S. colleges and universities.  In Pakistan, EducationUSA is hosted at the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP), a bi-national commission established in 1950 by the Governments of Pakistan and the United States.  USEFP also administers the prestigious Fulbright Student Program and several other scholarships and exchange programs for Pakistani students interested in studying in the United States.

_________________

The post US Consulate celebrates International Education Week in Karachi first appeared on Sindh Courier.