She said that as many as 650 students would be going to the US for various education programmes, including Fulbright scholarships, with 40 per cent participation of women. “The USEFP is administering 13 programmes in Pakistan. It also offers educational advisory and testing,” she said.
Responding to a query regarding the return rate of scholars from the USA, she said that 98% of scholars who went through the USEFP have returned to Pakistan and serving in private sector, higher education — both public and private — development sector and government sector. “We do check as to how the scholars who had been to the USA for education are performing in their respective fields, but it is not possible to have full information of all scholars and the work they are doing in Pakistan,” she said.
She informed that there were also US scholars who visited Pakistan for education purpose. “Let me tell you that the visit of US scholars to Pakistan changes their perception about Pakistan altogether. They leave as friends of Pakistan,” she said.
She warned people of illegal consultants who are looting people in the name of Fulbright scholarships. “The USEFP is the only authorised body that offers Fulbright scholarships and that too free of cost. Forms are available on our website while we give free advice as to how to apply for various programmes,” she said.
She said that although they have sent scholars in every imaginable discipline, including journalism, except for clinical medicine, yet their priority disciplines are water, energy and agriculture. “Keeping in mind the demand of the country we encourage students to apply in the disciplines of water, energy and agriculture so that they could positively contribute to the progress of these sectors once they are back,” she said.
Talking about the Fulbright Commission in Pakistan, she said that the Fulbright Commission in Pakistan is a bi-national commission where the board comprises four Pakistani nationals and four Americans. “The selection for the PhD scholars is done on the recommendations of both Pakistanis and Americans where the interest of both countries is taken into consideration,” she said.
She said that the execution of their education programmes is only possible with the support of the USAID, US State Department and the Higher Education Commission.