Lisa Swenarski, Minister Counselor for Public Diplomacy at Mission Pakistan in Islamabad, along with Mr Sandeep Paul, Public Affairs Officer, and Dr Muhammad Iqbal, English Programs Manager at the US Consulate Lahore, visited the University of Education (UoE) to discuss ongoing educational collaborations and their impact.

The delegation received a warm welcome from Prof Dr Aqif Anwar Chaudhry, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, and Dr Ahsan Bashir, Head of the English Department and Director of the English Access Scholarship Program. The meeting focused on the role of US-funded English language programs in strengthening diplomatic ties and fostering goodwill between the two nations.

During the discussions, the officials emphasized how these programs contribute significantly to students’ academic and professional growth by providing them with essential language skills and global exposure. The collaboration between the University of Education and the U.S. government has led to increased opportunities for students, enhancing their career prospects and expanding educational exchange initiatives.

Following the meeting, the US officials engaged with the UoE Access team, where program members shared their inspiring success stories. These personal accounts highlighted the transformative impact of the English Access Scholarship Program in shaping students’ futures. The conversation concluded with valuable suggestions on further improving and expanding the reach of US-funded English language initiatives to benefit more students across Pakistan.

The visit reaffirmed the strong partnership between the United States and Pakistan in the field of education and underscored the shared commitment to fostering academic excellence and cultural exchange through language learning programs.