On Wednesday, US Deputy Chief of Mission Andrew Schofer announced that the US government is supporting 30,000 Pakistani students in improving their English language skills.
This announcement was made following a ceremony for the “Access” Scholarship Program, which focuses on English language learning.
Schofer mentioned that the US has been providing scholarships for the past 20 years and highlighted additional programs aimed at developing leadership and professional skills. During his visit to Multan, he expressed his pleasure in seeing the cultural performances by students and emphasized the program’s goal of enhancing students’ English proficiency.
The English Access Scholarship Program, active since 2004, has already awarded scholarships to 30,000 students. Schofer expressed optimism about the new batch of 300 students, expecting them to achieve fluency in English. The program is a significant aspect of the longstanding US-Pakistan cooperation.
Vice Chancellor of Education University Asim Saeed praised the program for its benefits, noting it would positively impact both the students and their families. The program employs 40 teachers selected from over 100 applicants to teach the students, with 300 out of nearly 1000 applicants receiving scholarships.
The ceremony featured student performances showcasing the rich culture of south Punjab, which impressed attendees including US Consul General Ms. Kristin K Hawkins.
Later, Schofer visited Lutfabad Mango Farm (LMFPU), which previously benefited from USAID projects. These initiatives supported the farm in obtaining Global GAP certification and developing infrastructure like a mango packing house and cold storage. USAID also assisted in expanding mango exports by meeting international grading and packaging standards.