Pakistan and the United States have renewed a major higher education partnership for another five years. The agreement brings together Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP). It aims to expand scholarships, research opportunities and academic exchanges for Pakistani students and scholars.
USEFP Executive Director Dr. Peter Moran and HEC Executive Director Professor Dr. Zia Ul Haq signed the agreement in Islamabad on Tuesday. USEFP said the partnership will broaden access to American education and strengthen Pakistan’s higher education sector.
“Through this partnership, Pakistani students and scholars gain access to the renowned American education system while improving capacity across Pakistan’s higher education sector,” USEFP said.
Fulbright and Other Exchange Programmes Included
The renewed arrangement covers several major academic exchange programmes. These include the Fulbright Master’s and PhD programmes and the Visiting Scholar Programme for post-doctoral researchers. It also includes the Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Programme and the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Programme.
The agreement sets a target of supporting 66 PhD scholars over five years. HEC will provide at least $4.54 million annually, according to Associated Press of Pakistan. Its total funding commitment is capped at Rs6.48 billion over the five-year period.
The selection process will remain merit-based. The agreement sets no fixed quota for any specific group, region or category. HEC will join selection panels and help identify priority fields linked to Pakistan’s development needs.
USEFP is a binational educational organisation created by Pakistan and the United States in 1950. More than 9,000 Pakistanis and nearly 1,000 Americans have participated in USEFP-administered programmes.
The partnership also supports Americans who travel to Pakistan for academic and professional collaboration. These exchanges can support research, business and public health projects in both countries.
“This milestone agreement underscores our shared vision of empowering Pakistani scholars and higher education institutions that will serve our country for generations to come,” Haq said.
Long-Running Pakistan-US Education Partnership
The latest agreement builds on the Fulbright-HEC PhD partnership launched in 2016. APP said that earlier initiative committed $25.786 million to support 125 Pakistani scholars during fiscal years 2016 to 2020.
Moran said USEFP programmes help participants develop practical knowledge and professional skills. He said those skills can directly support Pakistan’s development across different sectors.
“We are grateful for the continued partnership of the governments of the United States and Pakistan in advancing this mission,” he said.
The renewed agreement also opens the door to wider academic cooperation. HEC and USEFP plan joint awareness initiatives across universities in Pakistan.
For many Pakistani students, Fulbright scholarships provide access to leading American universities without bearing the full financial cost. The programmes also support long-term educational links between Pakistan and the United States.
Radio Pakistan said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to academic excellence, research and human capital development. It will also expand opportunities for Pakistani students, scholars, faculty members and professionals.
