AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad, March 02, 2013 (PPI-OT): The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded scholarships to 250 talented students enrolled in the recently introduced two-year Associate Degree in Education program and the four-year Bachelor’s Degree in Education program in Punjab.
“I am delighted to see such bright students from Punjab who have dedicated themselves to a life of learning, scholarship, and service,” remarked Mr. Jeffery Bakken, acting U.S. Consul General Lahore and USAID Director for Punjab.
He added, “I am confident that the new comprehensive degree programs and USAID scholarships will give us better trained teachers and will therefore improve the education for thousands of Pakistani boys and girls.”
Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Samina Qadir, Vice Chancellor of Fatima Jinnah Women University, said “I want to thank the American people for providing the resources for this scholarship program and I also want to thank the United States government for its commitment to improving education in the country to build a stronger and more prosperous Pakistan.”
This Punjab scholarship program is part of a larger $75 million USAID Teacher Education Project. In addition, USAID works closely with the Government of Pakistan to develop and implement innovative curricula for two recently launched degree programs: a four-year Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a two-year Associate Degree in Education.
A total of 1,900 students across Pakistan will be awarded scholarships under this project. More than 250 scholarships have been awarded to students in Punjab previously.
The USAID basic education program seeks to bring 3.2 million children to reading at or above grade level over the next five years by improving instructional quality and strengthening education systems.
USAID works to increase the number of children learning to read by: transforming the way teachers teach; promoting active community involvement in school governance; reforming government institutions; and promoting public-private partnerships.
The U.S. education assistance program also includes building or rehabilitating nearly 800 schools; launching new degree programs in education at 90 teacher colleges and universities; providing scholarships for 12,000 students to study in Pakistan; and operating the largest Fulbright academic exchange program in the world.
For more information, contact:
Alberto Rodriguez
Spokesman
Information Office
Public Affairs Section
U.S. Embassy, Islamabad- Pakistan
Cell: +92300 501 2640
Web: http://islamabad.usembassy.gov