U.S. Consul General William Martin welcomed home 11 students and faculty members from the University of Engineering & Technology in Peshawar who recently completed a semester abroad at Arizona State University. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded the exchange program, which offered participants an opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research relating to Pakistan’s energy challenges. Consul General Martin urged the students and faculty to put their new skills and experiences to use locally. “By providing opportunities to promising young researchers, we hope to break down barriers for the creators and the innovators who will find solutions to the development challenges facing Pakistan and the world,” Consul General Martin said. Program participant Muhammad Ishaq commented that the exchange visit was a valuable opportunity not only to improve his research skills but also to experience American culture and make new friends. Approximately 100 graduate students and faculty members from the University of Engineering & Technology in Peshawar will have the opportunity to carry out applied energy research at Arizona State University over the next four years as part of USAID’s $127 million U.S.-Pakistan Centers for Advanced Studies in Energy program. To date, USAID has provided more than 15,000 scholarships for Pakistani students and researchers to pursue their studies in Pakistan and America. 

For more information about USAID’s support for higher education in Pakistan, please visit https://www.usaid.gov/pakistan/education.