ISLAMABAD: US Deputy Chief of Mission Andrew Schofer announced on Wednesday that the US government has provided support to 30,000 students across Pakistan to enhance their English language skills.
He made this statement during a ceremony for the “Access” Scholarship Program, a US initiative focused on English language learning.
Schofer highlighted that the US government has been offering scholarships for the past 20 years and is involved in various programs aimed at developing leadership qualities and professional skills. He expressed his pleasure at visiting Multan and was particularly impressed by the students’ cultural performances at the ceremony.
The English Access Scholarship Program, running since 2004, has awarded scholarships to 30,000 students to improve their English skills. Schofer expressed high hopes for the new batch of 300 students, believing they will achieve proficiency in English in the near future. He emphasized that the program is a key component of the longstanding cooperation between the United States and Pakistan.
Vice Chancellor of Education University, Asim Saeed, also praised the program, noting its benefits for both students and their families. He assured full support for the program’s success.
The program’s Coordinator, Ms. Rahat, along with other officials, explained that 40 teachers were selected from an initial pool of over 100 applicants to teach the students. Out of nearly 1,000 scholarship applicants, 300 students were awarded scholarships.
During the ceremony, students performed tableaus and cultural acts showcasing the rich heritage of South Punjab, which captivated the audience. US Consul General Kristin K. Hawkins and other guests were also in attendance.
Following the ceremony, Deputy Chief of Mission Schofer visited Lutfabad Mango Farm (LMFPU), which had previously benefited from USAID-funded projects, including the FIRMS project (2009-2014) and the Agricultural Market Development (AMD) Project (2015-2019). These projects supported LMFPU in obtaining GlobalGAP certification, establishing infrastructure such as a mango packing house and cold storage, and provided advanced grading equipment to mango processing facilities in Punjab and Sindh. USAID’s support helped expand mango exports to international markets by meeting grading and packaging standards.
