ISLAMABAD: US Deputy Chief of Mission Andrew Schofer announced on Wednesday that the US government has provided support to 30,000 Pakistani students to improve their English language skills.
Schofer made the announcement during the ceremony for the “Access” Scholarship Programme, which is specifically designed for English language learning.
He stated that the US government has been offering scholarships to Pakistani students for the past 20 years. Additionally, the US supports other programs aimed at developing leadership qualities and improving professional skills. During his visit to Multan, Schofer expressed his happiness in visiting the city.
In his address at the ceremony, Schofer praised the cultural performances by the students and highlighted the positive impact of the English Access Scholarship Programme on the students’ English language skills. “We want the students to succeed,” he said.
Schofer added that the program, which has been running since 2004, has awarded scholarships to 30,000 students so far. He expressed high hopes for the new batch of 300 students, believing they would soon be able to speak English fluently. He emphasized that the English Access Scholarship Program is a key aspect of the longstanding cooperation between the United States and Pakistan.
Vice Chancellor of Education University Asim Saeed also spoke at the event, praising the program for its benefits not only to the students but also to their 300 families. He assured full cooperation for the program’s success.
Coordinator Ms. Rahat and other officials highlighted the program’s features, noting that 40 teachers were selected from over 100 applicants to impart language skills to the students. Nearly 1,000 students applied for the scholarships, with 300 being awarded.
The event featured student performances, including tableaus and cultural displays, which captivated the audience. US Consul General Kristin K. Hawkins and other guests also attended the ceremony.
Later, Deputy Chief of Mission Schofer visited Lutfabad Mango Farm (LMFPU). The farm had previously benefited from the USAID-funded FIRMS project (2009-2014) and the Agricultural Market Development (AMD) Project (2015-2019), which provided support for gaining GlobalGAP certification, establishing infrastructure like a mango packing house and cold storage, and state-of-the-art graders for mango processing facilities in Punjab and Sindh.
USAID’s support helped mango growers expand exports to international high-end markets by meeting their grading and packaging requirements, according to officials.
