Pakistan and the United States have agreed to broaden their cooperation well beyond traditional academic exchanges, setting the stage for enhanced collaboration in technical training, skills development, and mineral sector advancement following high-level discussions in Islamabad.
The meeting, chaired by Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFEPT) Wajiha Qamar and a senior U.S. delegation, outlined plans to develop concrete frameworks for joint initiatives. The talks came shortly after the inauguration of the new U.S. Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) building, which is positioned as a central hub for academic advising and expanded exchange programs.
The U.S. delegation included Sherry Keneson-Hall, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, and Shelly Seaver, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs.
A major point of focus was the modernization of Pakistan’s technical and vocational skills ecosystem. Both sides examined partnership models between Pakistani technical institutions and U.S. community colleges to introduce competency-based programs and internationally benchmarked certifications.
Minister Qamar identified minerals and mining as a critical avenue for future cooperation. She noted Pakistan’s interest in leveraging U.S. expertise in modern mining technologies, geological mapping, and specialized workforce training. She stated that such collaboration could significantly strengthen capacity in geology, extraction, processing, and value addition, while reinforcing safety and sustainability standards.
Qamar underscored that these initiatives align with Pakistan’s wider skills agenda and long-term economic ambitions. The discussion further covered academic cooperation, teacher development, and expanding USEFP’s outreach to provide broader access to global learning opportunities.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to deepening ties with the United States, Qamar said the shared objective is to advance skills development and explore emerging sectors—particularly minerals and mining—that support Pakistan’s growth trajectory.
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Both sides agreed to maintain consistent engagement and pursue follow-up actions aimed at expanding cooperation across education, workforce development, and sectoral innovation.